Iris shakes up global leadership with new appointments

Iris has appointed Zoe Eagle, co-chief at Accenture Song’s creative business, as chief executive of its London office, and Katy Hopkins, creative director at House 337, as executive creative director. 

Eagle joins in November and will be replacing Claire Humphris, co-founder and chief executive of Iris, after 25 years at the Cheil-owned creative shop. Eagle will report to Ian Millner, co-founder and chair of Iris Worldwide. 

The Iris senior leadership team across all departments—client, strategy, creative and performance—will report to Eagle.

Hopkins starts this week and will replace Grant Hunter, global chief creative officer at the agency, after a 20-year stint. She will report to Millner and Eagle and work closely with Eduardo Maruri, former president and chief executive of Grey Europe, who was appointed as global creative chair of Iris Worldwide in June. 

Hopkins will lead a team of 30 people across the creative department. 

Eagle became co-chief at Accenture Song's creative business, alongside Will Hodge, in March 2023. Prior to this she was Karmarama’s managing director. 

In 2022, Accenture Interactive rebranded as Accenture Song, dropping agency names, including Karmarama and The Monkeys, and merging them into one creative entity, with the exception of Droga5.

Eagle joined Karmarama (now Accenture Song) in 2019 as managing partner following five years at Bartle Bogle Hegarty London as business lead. She also spent time at Creature and DLKW Lowe (now MullenLowe). 

During her career she has worked on brands such as the British Army, Lidl, Virgin Media, Weetabix, Trainline and Stroke Awareness.

Eagle said: “Iris has a phenomenal legacy of creativity and fearlessness. After five years working at the intersection of creativity, consultancy and technology at Song, I’m incredibly excited to join this progressive team and entrepreneurial culture. 

“Claire and Grant have left an indelible mark, and I’m eager to build on the strong foundation they’ve established. Together with Katy and the entire Iris team, I look forward to driving even more transformative work that drives growth for our clients and continues to shape the future of our industry.”

Humphris was Iris’ first employee when it launched 25 years ago, joining from IMP as a co-founder alongside Millner and Stewart Shanley. 

She has worked in various roles including managing partner and global chief marketing officer, rising to chief executive of the London office in 2021.

Humphris added: “After 25 incredible years at Iris, it’s time to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders. I’m immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved together, and I know the agency is in great hands with Zoe and Katy. 

“Their fresh energy, combined with their proven track records, will undoubtedly lead Iris into an exciting new era. I look forward to watching them continue to push boundaries and create impactful work that stays true to the values we built this agency on.”

Hopkins has overseen work for brands including Now (Sky), B&Q, Peta and Green Flag. 

She started her career at WCRS in 2010 as an art director. She became creative director in 2015 and continued this role when WCRS rebranded as Engine in 2018. Engine then merged with Odd when it was acquired by Next 15 in 2022 and became House 337.

Hopkins said: “Iris has always been an interesting agency, with a unique proposition that I find intriguing and exciting. I love that they are thinking differently about how to entertain and engage to bring brands and customers together. They value creativity and have a wealth of incredible talent. I’m looking forward to helping take their creative product to the next level.”

Hunter joined Iris in 2004 as creative group head, eventually taking on leadership roles such as regional creative director, executive creative director Europe and global, and most recently chief creative officer for the network. 

Prior to Iris, he worked at IMP, Maverick and Leo Burnett, and founded his own consultancy, White Matter. 

Hunter added: “I joined Iris when we were only 75 people strong and growing fast. For the first six months I didn’t have a desk—the only place to sit was in the window. Over my 20 years at Iris, the only constant has been change. 

“That entrepreneurial spirit is in our DNA. It’s been a pleasure to work with the array of creative talent that’s been onboard over those two decades. Together, we’ve created world firsts, agency firsts and ideas that have become a part of culture. It's now time for something entirely different for me—the bees, a crumbling cottage and the Chiltern Hills are calling.”

Iris has also recently promoted Elisha Pearce to managing director of growth and marketing and hired Marie Little as managing director of health, Benita Meswania as global chief people officer and Andrea Basserman as managing director of Iris Germany.

Millner said: "Claire and Grant have been at the heart of Iris for decades, shaping the agency into the force it is today. Their vision, leadership and creativity have been instrumental in building a legacy that will continue to thrive. 

“While it's always hard to say goodbye to such remarkable talent, I couldn't be more excited about the future. Zoe and Katy bring a fresh perspective, a wealth of experience and a shared passion for innovation that will propel Iris into its next chapter. Their combined expertise and creativity make them the perfect leaders to carry forward our mission of delivering impactful work for our clients."

In Asia-Pacific, Iris operates out of Singapore (Singapore), Jakarta (Indonesia) and New Delhi (India). In June last year, the agency appointed Rebecca Nadilo to the position of managing director for Singapore, who was also a winner on Campaign Asia's 40 Under 40 list for 2023.