We’re happy to announce the appointment of Chris Dunne (he/him) as our new Joint CEO. Working alongside existing Joint CEO, Marty Davies (she/they), Chris will use his extensive network and industry experience to ensure that LGBTQIA+ inclusion remains a priority amongst brands and agencies, and evolve and expand Outvertising’s comprehensive training and development resources that support organisations to do this.
Dunne takes over the role from outgoing Joint CEO, Lucy Mckillop, having spent the last 18 months as one of Outvertising’s Events Co-Directors where he led creation and curation of Outvertising’s internal and external events, including its flagship conference, Outvertising Live. In his new position, Dunne will work with Davies to continue Outvertising’s mission to influence organisations to better understand, protect and nurture LGBTQIA+ talent, and ensure there is greater, more authentic LGBTQIA+ representation across the industry’s creative output.
Alongside Outvertising, Dunne is the Head of Marketing at Thinkbox, the marketing trade body for TV advertising in the UK, and has a career in the media and marketing industry that spans 20 years and several high profile marketing roles at media companies including Global, Guardian Media Group and DMG Media.
As part of this new chapter of stewardship, Outvertising is also pleased to announce the appointment of new non-executive directors as part of its growth trajectory and expanding network of industry leaders at the helm. The new additions to the non-exec lineup will be responsible for providing governance as the organisation grows, and supporting Dunne and the entire executive board on its journey to increase the diversity, reach and influence of the organisation.
The appointments include; Diana Tickell, Former NABS CEO; Jerry Daykin, VP Head of Media at Beam Suntory; Joanne Lucy, Group Managing Director at Major Players; Jose-Luiz Moura, former Salesforce UK and Ireland COO; Leng Montgomery, Senior Manager, Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Burberry; Matt Foster, Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at Ogilvy UK; Russell Hunter, Head of Legal and Regulatory Compliance at ClearChannel International; and Scott Stockwell, Senior Brand Strategist at IBM.
Chris Dunne, Joint CEO, said of his appointment: “Outvertising is a profound force for good in the advertising industry. I’m so proud to be taking up this role to help build on the impressive momentum that has already been set by Marty and our remarkable leadership and volunteer team. I’m looking forward to working with all sides of our industry, to celebrate brilliant and effective LGBTQIA+ inclusive campaigns. And, at a time when the queer community is facing a rise in discrimination and hate crime, to inspire brands and agencies to produce more of this type of work more often.”
“Advertising is a powerful force for societal change, and the vast majority of the people who work in advertising are in my experience enlightened and progressive. Together we can help steer advertising in the best direction and maximise its power for good. I can’t wait to get started.”
Joint CEO Marty Davies commented on the appointments: “I’m excited to be welcoming Chris to the new role, and to work alongside the impressive lineup of new non-executives who are joining us to supercharge our mission. Outvertising’s reach and influence in UK adland continues to grow and so does the ambition of the whole volunteer team. But we still have much work to do to keep issues important to us high on the agenda in the boardroom - especially in an election year where trans+ people are being used as a distraction by politicians. Ad land must address a funding model which incentivises sensationalised and disinformative content about our community, and we must reestablish the commercial case for representation in creative work and protect the wellbeing of our queer talent. All this takes time, energy and skill to advocate for so I could not think of a more impressive team to make it happen.”