Clarity Appoints North America President, Strengthening ExCo

Senior promotions and client wins reflect agency momentum

London, UK — February, 2024 — Clarity, the global digital marketing and communication agency, today announced a key new appointment, a new executive committee (ExCo), several senior promotions and new client wins as it executes its global strategy.

Clarity CEO, Rachel Gilley, announced that experienced American communications executive Kristen Ingraham had been appointed Clarity’s President North America following a comprehensive search. 

Ingraham is based in New York and brings more than two decades of experience in B2B and B2C communications, integrated marketing and C-suite advisory with leading agencies in North America. She will spearhead Clarity’s growth in North America from its current base of offices in New York and California. 

The announcement coincides with the appointment of a new ExCo to support Rachel Gilley, who became CEO last month to drive the next phase of Clarity’s global growth. 

Alongside Gilley, Clarity’s new ExCo comprises: Tom Telford, President Digital Marketing; Robyn Sefiani, President ANZ & Reputation Counsel; Nick Lansman, President Corporate Affairs; Will Julian-Vicary, Head of Technology; Caroline Iroegbu, General Counsel; and Kristen Ingraham, President North America.  

CEO Rachel Gilley said the appointment of a new leader for the key North American market and a new ExCo were important steps in strengthening and consolidating Clarity’s global leadership.

“North America remains a strategic priority for the group and in Kristen, we have exactly the right person to lead our growth in that market. Kristen is a strong leader of talented teams and brings not only commercial acumen and deep contacts in the North American market but also experience in a range of sectors that build on Clarity’s heritage in technology,” she said.

“Clarity’s new ExCo comprises a group of seasoned agency professionals. Nick, Robyn, Tom and Will are all agency founders who joined Clarity following their acquisition in the last three years while Caroline has proven herself a highly capable General Counsel. I look forward to working with ExCo members as we execute Clarity’s global strategy.”

The acquisition of Sefiani Communications (founded by Robyn Sefiani) in early 2023, Political Intelligence (founded by Nick Lansman) in late 2022 and 3WhiteHats (founded by Tom Telford and Will Julian-Vicary) in 2021 has enabled Clarity to rapidly expand its service offering.

“Following a period of growth through acquisition, we are now focussed on fully integrating the acquired agencies and their incredible people and capabilities, to grow organically through services and sector diversification,” Gilley said. 

With a footprint in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia/Asia-Pacific, Clarity is now positioned to offer – at a global level - service lines and sector expertise spanning technology, digital marketing services, public and corporate affairs, financial communications, corporate reputation, crisis and issues management, ESG/sustainability and mobility. 

The success of Clarity’s service diversification is evident in a slate of recent client wins, including award winning Human AI telepathy company MindPortal, fast-growing online graphic design app Canva, AI21labs, specialising in Natural Language Processing and Vivup a world class health and wellbeing employee benefits platform that supports public and private sector workers; and program extensions for Germany-based global FMCG group Henkel, Australia-based and ASX-listed global personal protective equipment manufacturer Ansell, and Sweden-based Volvo Group, recognised as a pioneer in electrified heavy transport. 

Commenting on Clarity’s engagement, Ekram Alam, Co-founder & CEO at MindPortal said: “I was immediately drawn to Clarity's genuine excitement about our work and their established reputation in global communication. Through discussions with the team at Clarity, it was clear they possess a strategic, personalized and innovative approach to communication, perfectly aligning with our goal to enhance public visibility and authentically connect with people interested in what we do."

“Clarity’s focus on working with visionary companies remains and we’re better positioned than ever to support them wherever they are in the world and whatever their requirements,” Gilley said. 

Senior promotions

Gilley also announced several promotions within Clarity: Tom Telford to Chief Digital Officer, Will Julian-Vicary to Chief Technology Officer, Liam McLaughlin to Senior Partner UK Comms and Sydney-based Nick Owens to President Corporate & Crisis Communications. 

“The promotions are well deserved. Tom has led the digital marketing transformation of Clarity while Will’s promotion to CTO aligns the technology department’s work with Clarity’s overall strategic goals and particularly our investment in AI. 

“Liam will have P&L responsibility for the UK communications team and drive creativity and strategic thinking across our client portfolio. Nick, as a Sefiani leader of long standing, will deploy the deep crisis, issues and reputation expertise for which Sefiani is renowned, across the Clarity group,” Gilley said.