Specsavers Creative, the in-house creative team for the UK’s leading optometry chain, has made a host of key appointments as it scales to meet the business’ increasing global needs.
Richard James, previously Creative Director at Specsavers, has been promoted to the new role of Global Creative Director. James, who has been with the business for 20 years, will be supported in his global role by Kate Allsop and Simon Bougourd.
Allsop has joined Specsavers Creative Group Lead from The&Partnership, where she was Creative Director. She brings over 20 years of experience working with brands including Pets at Home, NatWest, and British Gas.
“Specsavers is an incredible brand with a core purpose of changing lives through better sight and hearing,” said Allsop. “I’m excited to join the team to continue to develop distinct creative campaigns that resonate with consumers globally to keep delivering on this promise.”
Meanwhile, Bougourd moves from his role as Senior Creative to step into a second Group Lead position. He has spent the last 25 years working at Specsavers in multiple creative roles, including Senior Copywriter and Head of Copy.
Dave Robinson, ex-adam&eveDDB and VCCP, has also arrived at Specsavers in the newly created role of Group Design Lead, reporting into Head of Design Sid Tomkins. Robinson has 30 years of experience working with brans including Cadbury’s, American Express, O2. and Dove.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some famous global brands, but Specsavers is special. That balance of humour, heritage and humility is rare, and it’s in every piece of communication,” said Robinson. “It’s my job to ensure that we care for this special brand just as Specsavers cares for their customers, so that it continues to succeed and assist many more people globally with their sight and hearing.”
Nicola Wardell, Managing Director of Specsavers Creative, added: “I’m delighted to congratulate our newly promoted internal hires as well as welcoming Kate and Dave to the team. At Specsavers, it’s no secret that the key to our creative success is the alchemy between our existing talent, who inherently understand the Specsavers brand and new talent who bring a fresh perspective. To have team members develop over multiple decades is incredible and to balance this with such strong external talent is where the magic lies. I’m very excited to see what’s next for Specsavers Creative with this super-charged team.”
