WhiteGrey CEO Miles Joyce exits
Miles Joyce, the CEO of WPP-owned creative agency WhiteGrey, has abruptly departed the company, Mumbrella can reveal.
Joyce’s departure comes just weeks after Paul Worboys, previously the joint-CEO with Joyce, resigned citing family reasons.
In a note sent to clients and staff in the last few days, Mike Connaghan, CEO of WPP AUNZ, said: “Following a discussion with Miles about the direction for WhiteGrey moving forward, we have agreed that a change of leadership is required and as such Miles will be leaving the business today.”
Worboys with Miles Joyce who departed the agency late last week
“We appreciate the contribution both Paul and Miles have made to the business both prior and post the merger of White and Grey and wish them well in their future endeavours,” Connaghan added.
In May last year, The White Agency and Grey Group Australia merged to form one agency, WhiteGREY.
Joyce led The White Agency for a decade before becoming joint-CEO of WhiteGrey alongside Worboys. Prior to that, Joyce was founder and MD of NetX, which was for a time Australia’s most successful digital agency before being bought by Clemenger Group.
The new CEO of WhiteGrey is expected to be announced over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, John Steedman, executive chairman of media investment and specialist business at WPP, will be acting CEO with the help of group client director, Kate Walker.
A spokesperson from WPP AUNZ said in a statement to Mumbrella: “Following a discussion with Miles Joyce about the direction for WhiteGrey moving forward, we have agreed that a change of leadership is required and as such Miles has left the business.
“The search for a new CEO for the business is underway and an announcement about an appointment will be made in the coming weeks.”
At the time of publishing Joyce could not be reached for comment.
The announcement:
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of management changes at whiteGREY which are effective as of today. As you are aware, Paul Worboys resigned late last year from his role as joint CEO of the business and leaves the agency tomorrow.
Following a discussion with Miles about the direction for whiteGREY moving forward, we have agreed that a change of leadership is required and as such Miles will be leaving the business today. We appreciate the contribution both Paul and Miles have made to the business both prior and post the merger of White and Grey and wish them well in their future endeavours.
We have identified a CEO for the business who we will announce over the ensuing weeks. Once that appointment is made, we will schedule a time for you to meet. To ensure there is no disruption to the business during this transition, John Steedman (Executive Chairman – Media Investment and Specialist Businesses – WPP AUNZ) will be acting CEO of the business, working alongside Kate Walker (Group Client Director, WPP AUNZ).
There is obviously no change with the day to day leadership of your business, however, should you wish to discuss any of these changes, John and Kate would be happy to make a time to meet with you over the next week. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Mike Connaghan
CEO WPP AUNZ
Abigail Dawson was Mumbrella's senior content journalist covering event content. She left Mumbrella to move into an agency role in 2020.
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Classic STW response.
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Two CEO’s feels like too many, none sounds like too few. What a strange episode…
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