Howatson and Co taps Cummins and Partners manager for C-suite role

October 10, 2025 11:03

Katherine Chen enters her Howatson and Co era.

Creative agency Howatson and Company has appointed Katherine Chen as its new chief client officer.

Chen has worked in the account management space for close to 20 years, with her experience spanning creative, digital, media, and brand at both indie businesses and larger networks.

She spent close to two years as the Sydney general manager at independent agency Cummins and Partners, and also spent time at VML, working in the creative agency’s Sydney and Melbourne offices as the local managing partner and local client service director, respectively.

Prior to this, Chen was head of client service position at VML for 18 months, spent a year as group account director role at Clemenger BBDO, and had various account director and service director stints at full-service content agency, Ensemble Australia.

Chen will report to Howatson and Co’s group managing director Renee Hyde.

“From the outside, the work speaks for itself. But inside, it’s the contagious energy of the people and partnerships at H+Co that spark everything,” Chen said about her new company in a media release.

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“Chris and Renée have built something really special, and I’m thrilled to support and champion our brilliant teams and client partners in shaping what’s next”.

In the same media release, Hyde commented on Chen’s hiring, describing it as reflective of the company’s dedication to excellence.

“We’re delighted to have Kath join us. She brings a wealth of experience and energy that is already being felt by our clients and team. Her appointment signals our commitment to continue to deliver consistent excellence across the agency,” Hyde said.

Chen enters the business after an eventful 2025. In July, Howatson and Company won Vodafone’s creative account, overcoming five other agencies who participated in the pitch process.

A day after announcing its new client, the agency snagged two awards at the Mumbrella Awards 2025 — one for Full Service Agency of the Year, and the other for Industry Leader of the Year, thanks to its chief data and technology officer (and co-founder of its sister agency Plus Also Studios) Hoang Nguyen.

Campaign-wise, the agency has delivered work for Selleys Liquid Nails, Seasol, Yates, Allianz and more.