Clemenger Group reveals Robert Morgan’s successor as CEO
Clemenger Group has selected Les Timar as its next CEO, set to take over from Robert Morgan on 1 January 2022.
Morgan will remain as chairman of Clemenger Group however, after handing over the CEO role that he has held for 23 years.
Timar, who has also been with Clemenger Group for over two decades, is currently CEO of GRACosway, a corporate communications agency within the group.
Les Timar
Late last year, Chris Howatson, who was hotly tipped as the name in line for this role after being fast-tracked through the group, left to start his own agency, with fellow CHE Proximity lead Ant White. Howatson was appointed head of all of Clemenger Group’s Australian agencies in April 2019, relinquishing the role before stepping away from the group.
His new agency, Howatson + White is currently undergoing structural changes as a result of founding partner White’s departure, as revealed earlier this month.
On his appointment, Timar said: “Clemenger Group has an outstanding legacy of creativity and innovation over 75 years and my clear mandate is to continue Robert’s record of strong leadership and sustained growth.”
Robert Morgan
Robert Morgan said that his successor is a “strong leader with impeccable management credentials to lead our Group forward”.
“He is a people person, is passionate about doing the best for his clients, and is highly respected by employees, clients and in the business community at large,” Morgan continued.
Timar was one of the founders of GRA, leading the agency through its merger with Cosway, and building the firm into the PR and strategic comms company it now is, across Australia and in its recent expansion into New Zealand.
Andrew Robertson, president and CEO of BBDO Worldwide Inc, the majority owner of Clemenger Group added: “Whilst advertising has always been and will always be at the heart of the Clemenger Group, it has developed into a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of specialist companies.”
“I am convinced that Les will continue to nurture the Group’s commitment to creativity and its ability to provide the best possible advice and solutions to clients across the marketing and communications spectrum, as it continues to evolve.”
The news also comes recently after Clemenger BBDO Melbourne’s creative chairman, James McGrath was revealed to be stepping back from this role, moving into a part-time role across the Clemenger Group.
Earlier in the year Morgan and the group’s leadership were questioned for pay cuts to staff in 2020, when the business posted profits similar to those of 2019. The group then went on to give staff who had a temporary pay reduction in 2020 and earn less than $200,000 a 5% pay increase.
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Calum Jaspan was news editor at Mumbrella, based in Melbourne. He was also the producer and host of the Mumbrellacast. He left Mumbrella in May 2023.
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