M+C Saatchi expands leadership across AI and data

Karen Boswell, previously Global CEO for Consulting, Experience and Performance, has been appointed Global Chief Transformation Officer.

M+C Saatchi is expanding its global transformation structure with a specialist leadership team focused on Return on Cultural Power (RoCP), artificial intelligence, data, product development and effectiveness.

Karen will lead the group-wide transformation offering alongside Sarah Ellis-Davies, Global AI Strategy, Partnerships and Product Lead, and Nic English, Head of Effectiveness Solutions.

M+C Saatchi appoints Karen Boswell to transformation role

Boswell will oversee the development of RoCP, the group’s approach to measuring the commercial value of cultural influence. She will also lead the use of agentic AI across M+C Saatchi’s operations and help develop capabilities spanning data, products and technology.

Boswell joined M+C Saatchi in July 2025 and has led digital, data and AI transformation across its client-facing businesses, as well as its global product roadmap. She has more than 15 years of transformation experience, including senior roles at VML, WPP’s The Pharm and adam&eveDDB.

Karen Boswell, Global Chief Transformation Officer, M+C Saatchi: "The agency model has fundamentally changed. Every brand is asking the same question: what is culture actually worth to my business? The answer always starts with people. The ideas that move them, and the creative minds brave enough to make them.

"Return on Cultural Power gives us the thinking. Now we're building the data, the products and the agentic AI to prove its value for every client we work with. Not to replace creative ingenuity, but to give it more reach, more speed and more proof than it has ever had. Technology will rewrite how agencies work. Our job is to make sure people are still holding the pen."

Sarah Ellis-Davies to lead AI strategy and product

Ellis-Davies has taken on the newly created position of Global AI Strategy, Partnerships and Product Lead. Her responsibilities include developing M+C Saatchi’s AI strategy, building its product portfolio, establishing technology partnerships and developing revenue opportunities from its AI, data and technology capabilities.

She will work with Boswell on turning RoCP into products intended to provide insights into cultural trends for the group’s creative teams and clients. Ellis-Davies has more than 20 years of experience in innovation, marketing and emerging technology, including senior positions at The Brandtech Group and Telefónica/O2.

English joined M+C Saatchi from VML in June as Head of Effectiveness Solutions. Previously Lead Data Consultant at VML, he also spent more than four years at Nike. His remit includes developing the data, tools and methodology supporting RoCP and its measurement of the relationship between cultural impact and business outcomes.

M+C Saatchi focuses on measurement and commercial impact

Dame Heather Rabbatts, Global Executive Chair, M+C Saatchi: "Our industry is changing what clients need from their agencies. We've spent the past few years transforming and connecting M+C Saatchi. Now we're turning that foundation into new capabilities, stronger propositions and growth.

"Karen's new role, alongside Sarah and Nic's appointments, puts our biggest priorities in the hands of specialist leaders. Great creative work has always been to our advantage. From how we use AI and build products to how we prove the commercial value of cultural power, this is an investment in making that advantage count for our clients and our business."

www.mcsaatchi.com

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