Paul Knight is set to become chief executive at PHD UK, succeeding Ali Reed who has stepped down after three years in the role.
Knight will report to Laura Fenton, chief executive of Omnicom Media Group UK.
He has spent more than 28 years at PHD sister agency MG OMD. His most recent role was chief executive of OmniGOV, the agency’s bespoke offering that services the UK government media buying framework.
During Knight’s tenure, which commenced in 2018, MG OMD became the first agency to retain the government account. OmniGOV was also named Agency Team of the Year four times at Campaign Media Awards, most recently in 2024, and won the Grand Prix at Campaign’s Media Week Awards 2024, for its “We’re not just Heart” work.
Read the full story on Campaign, and our Announcement below
Paul Knight named CEO of PHD UK
London (November 7, 2024) – Omnicom Media Group (OMG), the media services division of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) has named Paul Knight CEO of PHD UK. Knight joins PHD following three decades at sister OMG agency MG OMD including seven years as Chief Operating Officer, and six years serving as CEO of OmniGOV – the bespoke offering within MG OMD that services the HM Government Media Buying Framework.
He succeeds Ali Reed, who is stepping down after three years in the role.
During Knight’s tenure, OmniGOV was named agency team of the year by Campaign four times; earned an IPA Effectiveness Award; and most recently, was awarded the Grand Prix at the Media Week Awards, alongside an Agency of the Year accolade for MG OMD.
“As his record at MG OMD demonstrates, Paul knows how to enable and lead enterprises that are purpose-built to deliver new standards in media, where talent and technology combine to deliver transformative results,” said PHD Worldwide CEO Guy Marks. “His experience and expertise make him the perfect choice to lead PHD UK – one of the top markets for a next-generation network where connected intelligence helps brands outthink, outpace and outgrow the market.”
Knight steps into his new role at a time when PHD UK holds one of the best new business records in the market, having won $417 million in total new business (wins-losses, including retentions) year-to-date (Source: COMvergence). The 2024 wins and retentions – which include Argos, Sainsbury’s, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., and Volkswagen Group – cap Reed’s tenure as CEO, during which the agency also added Uber, TNT Sports, and Neilson Financial Services to its roster.
Commenting on Reed’s impact, OMG UK CEO Laura Fenton said, “On behalf of OMG, I want to thank and congratulate Ali for her leadership over the past three years. On her watch, PHD UK significantly expanded its client portfolio, its capabilities, and its reputation for creativity, innovation, and inclusion. As she starts a new chapter in her career, her passion and commitment will continue to be a positive force in the industry.”
Describing her decision to step down, Reed said, “I am acutely aware that choosing when you leave isn’t something every leader gets the privilege of doing, but at this point – as the agency has phenomenal momentum powered by our compelling new go-to-market offer of ‘Intelligence. Connected.’ – I feel the time is right for a new challenge. I am immensely proud of the PHD team and the results they’ve delivered for our clients – and I am confident that their talent, energy, and passion will be as invaluable to Paul as it was to me.”
A well-known name in UK media, Knight has made multiple appearances on Campaign’s annual “Top Ten Media Suits” list and has represented MG OMD on the IPA Council. For the past decade he has mentored young talent through Omnicom’s Emerging Stars Programme. During the Covid lockdowns, when HM Government was the UK’s single largest advertiser, he was a leading voice offering insights for both managing through the crisis as well as translating learnings from that unique moment in time into more effective ways of working for the long-term.
Drawing a thread from his previous role to his new remit, Knight says, “Moving brands and businesses forward demands relentless strategic, commercial, and operational innovation – building and sustaining an organisation that can meet that mandate is the primary responsibility of the CEO. Over the course of my career at MG OMD, and most recently within OmniGOV, I’ve been privileged to work with and ultimately lead an extraordinary community of talent that consistently translated media innovation into marketing effectiveness. I am proud of what we achieved together, grateful that we remain part of the same parent organisation – and ready for this new opportunity.
“As CEO of PHD UK, the challenges will be different, but the mission remains the same – ensuring that we are providing our clients with the tools, talent, and technology they need to drive transformative results. Defined by its ‘Intelligence. Connected.’ value proposition and powered by the Agency as a Platform model that connects media, content and commerce, PHD is uniquely positioned to meet the mission.”
Knight, who also sits on the OMG UK Board, will join PHD next year, reporting to Fenton. News of his successor at OmniGOV is expected in the coming weeks.
