Havas Restructured UK and Ireland Operations
The advertising group has consolidated its regional agencies under one leader to streamline client service delivery.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Business Strategy
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Havas has completed a restructuring of its operations across the United Kingdom and Ireland. All regional agencies will now report to James Affleck as part of a push to improve client access to integrated service offerings.
Why it matters
This consolidation is designed to reduce organizational silos and simplify how clients engage with the company's various creative and media services. By centralizing management, the firm aims to improve operational efficiency and service integration for regional accounts.
Havas has centralized reporting for 10 regional agencies—including Havas Media Network, Havas London, and Gate One—under a single leadership role. This realignment marks a shift from previous reporting structures for these brands.
The players
Havas
A global advertising and communications group providing creative, media, and healthcare marketing services to international clients.
James Affleck
The newly appointed lead for all Havas operations across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Mark Whelan
The Chairman and Group Chief Creative Officer of Havas Village UK who remains in his current leadership role.
Dominique Bergantino
The executive appointed to the newly created role of Head of Integration to oversee the restructured regional operations.
The details
The restructure brings diverse units, ranging from Havas Helia and Inviqa to Conran Design Group, Havas Red, and One Green Bean, under the oversight of James Affleck. Dominique Bergantino has transitioned into the newly created position of Head of Integration to support this unified operational model. While leadership roles for Mark Whelan are preserved in his capacity as Chairman and Group Chief Creative Officer, the move forces a singular reporting chain for the group's regional entities.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: Restructuring and leadership appointments were confirmed.
Market Landscape
This move follows a long-standing trend among global advertising holding companies shifting toward integrated, centralized operational models to capture broader client budgets. It signals a departure from independent agency silos in favor of unified service delivery platforms.
Business owners should monitor if this consolidation simplifies or complicates procurement for existing cross-agency contracts. Expect potential changes in point-of-contact and account management processes as the integration takes hold.
The takeaway
Centralizing operations under one lead can improve speed, but it often creates internal friction during the transition period. Watch for shifts in vendor service levels or account management styles as agencies adapt to the new unified reporting chain.
Further reading
Operators can find more analysis on organizational design in our Business Strategy archive.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MediaPost.
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