Zenith UK

Richard Clay's delivery for clients has made it a sensational year for Zenith’s work, both the ‘visible’ kind (industry-leading campaigns) and the ‘invisible’ (products and services that make or save clients millions of pounds). His leadership this year has seen Zenith become the most awarded agency for client work at the Campaign Media Awards, but also increase client product penetration from 30% to 82%.

Richard started at Zenith as a graduate in 2010, and quickly became one of its best planners. He moved to strategy in 2015 and has since risen to lead the eight-strong team as CSO. Richard directs a team focused on media craft, to deliver progressive and effective work, and is one of those rare CSOs who is as comfortable talking about effective reach as he is discussing category entry points. Calm and inclusive, Richard is not a flamboyant ‘listen to me’ planner: in a meeting of heavy hitters, he will consider and reflect and then blow everyone away with the most intelligent contribution in the room.