Simone Gupta steps down as CEO of Havas PR Australia
Simone Gupta, CEO of Havas PR Australia, has stepped down. Gupta has decided to leave Havas to pursue a personal project and the team at Havas has revealed it fully supports her with this next step.
An industry recognised CEO, under Gupta’s leadership One Green Bean, Red Havas and Havas Blvd have continued to thrive. In addition, in 2021 Gupta successfully launched specialist entertainment communications agency Organic Pacific, which is making its mark in that sector.
Gupta has been a leader of integration, innovation and DE&I across Havas Village, which she has successfully co-captained with fellow CEOs, Laura Aldington and Virginia Hyland.
Aldington and Hyland were both united in their respect for Gupta, telling Mumbrella this morning: “It’s been a genuine privilege to co-captain the Havas Village with Sim for the last three years, and she’s made an indelible mark on our PR businesses. She is leaving them in great shape, and we wish her only the best in her next adventure.”
Gupta posted on LinkedIn today: “It’s been a REALLY hard decision, but I’m sad to say I’m stepping down as CEO Havas PR. I absolute love the people in this business – many talented and kind people. My co-captains Laura Aldington and Virginia Hyland MAICD are badass. Client portfolio is world class.
“I have a personal project I want to focus on, and I need headspace to do that (following a little break)! I am staying in the industry, and Australia. Too much good stuff here.”
Gupta later told Mumbrella: “I have taken Red Havas, One Green Bean and the wider Havas Village through a successful period of growth, putting in place talented leadership teams, innovating the offering and building trusted client partnerships with a world class portfolio of brands. I wish all the success to the team at Havas Group. It is time for me to embark on a new chapter.”
Havas will announce new leadership for the Havas PR teams in due course, in the meantime the teams at One Green Bean, Red Havas, Havas Blvd and Organic will report directly into James Wright, global chairman of the Havas PR Global Collective.
James Wright said: “We have known about Sim’s plans for a while now and are very appreciative of the strong leadership that Simone has consistently delivered over her time at Havas. I have always enjoyed the relationship we built together as we continued to lead and evolve in the Australian PR landscape with our great agency brands and client work. We wish her the very best with her new project.”
Gupta will leave Havas Group in November.
Calum Jaspan spoke with Havas Group Australia’s Virginia Hyland, Simone Gupta and Laura Aldington last year on the Mumbrellacast. Listen below.
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topics
Havas Blvd
Havas PR Australia
James Wright
Laura Aldington
One Green Bean
Organic Pacific
Red Havas
Simone Gupta
Virginia Hyland
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