Landor Appoints James Withey as First-Ever Global EVP of Strategy

WPP-owned brand and design consultancy Landor has promoted James Withey to the newly established role of Global Executive Vice President of Strategy, where he will lead the company’s global strategy team and oversee the development of its strategy offering across corporate, consumer and experience disciplines.

In his new position, Withey will focus on strengthening specialist expertise across the three areas while ensuring they operate through shared standards, tools and working practices. The structure aims to provide clients with deeper strategic capabilities while maintaining a cohesive approach to brand development.

Withey will report to Jane Geraghty, Global Chief Executive of WPP Brand and Design and Landor, and Amal Attalah, European President of WPP Brand and Design.

Commenting on the appointment, Geraghty said Withey was a trusted strategic adviser to clients and was already helping shape how the company supports brands as artificial intelligence increasingly influences consumer choices. She highlighted his diverse professional background and said he was well placed to lead Landor’s global strategy at a time of significant industry change.

James Withey’s Experience at Landor and Beyond

Withey returned to Landor in 2021 as Executive Director of Strategy and Innovation for EMEA. In 2023, he was promoted to Global Executive Strategy Director, his most recent position before the latest appointment.

He brings more than 25 years of experience spanning brand strategy, digital and research. His earlier tenure at Landor ran from 2001 to 2011, during which he held several roles, including Head of Strategy for Consumer Brands.

Beyond Landor, Withey has held senior positions at Siegel+Gale, Futurebrand, Brash Brands and Circus. Since returning to Landor, he has worked on transformation programmes for brands including A&O Shearman and LeShuttle.

Focus on Integrated Brand Strategy in the AI Era

Withey said brand strategy was becoming increasingly important as AI made it easier to create, replicate and optimise content and brand assets. He emphasised that brands need a genuinely differentiated central idea capable of connecting their communications, actions and customer experiences.

He also highlighted the importance of combining specialist strategic capabilities across corporate, consumer and experience disciplines to create a coherent brand.

Withey said he looked forward to working with strategy leaders and teams worldwide to build on Landor’s existing strengths and shape the next phase of its global strategy offering.

According to Landor, the appointment forms part of the broader evolution of Landor and WPP’s brand and design collective. In addition to leading the global strategy team, Withey will oversee the collective’s agentic strategy roadmap.

The move follows Geraghty’s appointment in March as Global Chief Executive of WPP Brand and Design and Global CEO of Landor, which introduced a new leadership structure for the division.