Tamara Ingram is to take full control of Saatchi & Saatchi
following the appointment of her fellow joint chief executive, Adam
Crozier, as chief executive of the Football Association.
Crozier, who is a Scot, will take the helm at the FA in January when
Ingram will become sole chief executive.
However, the agency is to appoint a new chairman of the Charlotte Street
office, to whom Ingram will report. A number of external candidates have
already been approached.
Ingram, who joined Saatchis via a temp agency in 1985, said: ’This is a
fabulous time to be given this privilege as we are going through a very
positive transition period. I am greatly touched by the move. However,
there are no major changes afoot. It is business as usual.’
Crozier, 35, was selected by the FA for his marketing and media
experience as the organisation aims to become more commercially driven.
He has also been the FA’s communications advisor in its bid to host the
2006 World Cup finals.
’It’s the job of a lifetime. I’m very excited about it but I don’t
underestimate the scale of the challenge,’ Crozier said. ’I am very sad
to be leaving Saatchis which I genuinely believe is the best agency
brand in the world. I could never work for another agency.’
The FA is undergoing a radical modernisation programme after a barrage
of criticism about its management style and antiquated structure.
Crozier refused to comment on any plans he had for the organisation. He
also maintained a ’diplomatic silence’ on the question of who he will be
supporting in next month’s England v Scotland game.
Crozier began his career as a management trainee at Mars and then worked
for The Daily Telegraph as a sales executive. He joined Saatchis in July
1988 as media group director and, at 26, became the youngest-ever
appointee to the Saatchi board.
He was made joint chief executive five years ago following the departure
of the Saatchi brothers.
