JKR Announces New Executive Leadership Team and UK CEO as Business Expansion Continues

Oct. 24, 2025

Global branding agency JKR has announced the formation of its Global Executive Leadership Team and the appointment of Jonny Spindler as CEO UK, marking the next chapter in a year of rapid evolution.

Over the last ten months, the agency has expanded its client roster across automotive, entertainment, finance, tech, and QSR, adding major names like Ford and Intuit, while strengthening its strategic and brand experience capabilities to better serve its growing client base. This momentum has been mirrored by industry accolades including Fast Company’s Design Company of the Year and Most Innovative Companies 2025, as well as Creative Review’s Most Creative Design Agency 2025.

JKR’s global vision now sits in the hands of James Nixon (Global CEO), Tosh Hall (Global CCO), and Sara Hyman (CGO), guiding creative direction, business growth, and market impact.

Nixon said:

“Our business is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our clients․ Across the industry, demand for distinctiveness everywhere is rising as brands look to navigate complex ecosystems, accelerated by shifting consumer expectations and the integration of new technologies. That’s why we’re evolving JKR into the branding business of the future, built to be the solution brands need now. By expanding our global leadership and embedding technology and partnerships into the way we work, we are extending our ability to reach more sectors and more markets.”

 

A Unified Global Leadership Team.

As part of its evolution, JKR has announced a new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) made up of senior leaders operating as a globally connected group. Together, they will be responsible for driving strategic direction, creative excellence, and capability-building across the business.

• Working alongside James Nixon, Tosh Hall, and Sara Hyman, Co-Chief Growth Officer
  Lee Rolston will expand his remit to align strategy and growth on a global scale.

• Jonny Spindler (UK CEO) will oversee the agency’s advancement and integration of technology, while expanding client partnerships across markets and categories.

• On the creative front, JB Hartford and Ricardo Bezerra (Executive Creative Directors, US) join forces with Stuart Radford (Executive Creative Director, UK) and Sean Thomas (Executive Creative Director, Global) to drive distinctive, world-class branding.

• Melanie McShane, JKR’s first-ever Executive Strategy Director (ESD), will be responsible for expanding the agency’s brand consultancy offering.

• Matt Michaluk (Executive Creative Director) and Sam Smith (Executive Business Director) will lead the development and growth of the agency’s brand experience capability, partnering with clients to build distinctive physical, digital and human experiences. 

• Alex Holcombe and Daisy Shirley-Beavan step into new roles as Executive Managing Partners for the US and UK respectively, where they will focus on client leadership, growth, and delivery.

• Richard Aylen (Executive Business Director) joins the team and will assume responsibility for the expansion of key client partnerships.

New UK CEO.

Jonny Spindler, formerly Managing Director of JKR’s London Studio, will become UK CEO. Having played a pivotal role at JKR over the past seven years, Jonny will focus on expanding JKR’s impact across markets, embedding AI and new technologies into its operations and branding capabilities.

Spindler said:

"JKR exists to make brands distinctive everywhere. As UK CEO, I’ll be focused on expanding our reach and our offering, leading us into new categories, new markets, and accelerating our digital capabilities to redefine how we operate and create value for brands․ The goal is simple: help our clients tackle today’s challenges and stay ahead of tomorrow’s, elevating the brand experience everywhere."