DRPGroup Strengthens UK Leadership Team as Part of Wider Growth Strategy

Image above, left to right: Andy Wilkinson, DRPGroup Sales Director. Dagmar Mackett, DRP Germany Managing Director. Matt Franks, DRPGroup Chief Operating Officer and DRPG UK Managing Director.

We've announced a series of senior leadership appointments and a strengthened UK leadership structure, as part of our wider strategy for sustained growth following the completion of our 45th legacy strategy. 

The changes come as part of our continued success globally and sees the introduction of a new Group Board. Dale Parmenter will continue as Founder and CEO of DRPGroup, with responsibility for the overall strategy and direction of the Group and its subsidiary businesses. 

Matt Franks has been appointed to the new Group Board as Chief Operating Officer and will also take on the role of Managing Director of DRPG UK, leading the UK business and overseeing operational delivery across the Group. 

Andy Wilkinson, Managing Director of OWB, has been appointed as Group Sales Director for DRPGroup, with responsibility for the new sales team across the Group. Andy has worked in senior client-side marketing positions for global brands and marketing agencies across the UK and overseas, and in sales development consultancy supporting boards to deliver growth strategies. 

In addition to the Group Board, DRPGroup has introduced a strengthened operational leadership structure, including the formation of a new board for DRPG UK operations, which will support Matt Franks in his role as Managing Director and provide oversight of delivery, client relationships and operations. 

Matt Franks will also continue in his role as CEO of TSEC North America, following the establishment of a strengthened leadership team over the past two years, since the acquisition, to oversee the ongoing operations and continue to drive the growth strategy that is in place. 

Our expansion in Europe continues with the recent acquisition of Munich based agency RPNext. Dagmar Mackett will continue in her role as Global Development Director, while serving as Managing Director of DRPGermany GmbH, which includes RPNext. 

The leadership appointments form part of a new group-wide strategy focused on long-term global growth, investment in people and capabilities, and the delivery of integrated services to clients across multiple markets. Further initiatives linked to the strategy will be announced during the coming year. 

DRPGroup operates a portfolio of specialist agencies, including: 

• DRPG (UK, North America and Germany) 

• A-Vision 

• Firehouse 

• Grosvenor Comms 

• Karma Games 

• OWB 

• Penguins 

• RPNext 

• TSEC 

Delivering services across experience, content, production, digital and communications for clients globally. 

Commenting on the announcements, Dale Parmenter said, “This new phase for DRPGroup is about building confidently on everything we’ve achieved over the past 45 years. Strengthening our leadership team is a critical part of our growth strategy, ensuring we have the right people in place to support our clients, our teams and our long-term ambitions as a global group.” 

Matt Franks, newly appointed Managing Director of DRPG UK, added, “Taking on the role of Managing Director of DRPG is a significant next step that I’m proud of, and one that reflects the scale and ambition of the business. My focus is to build on the strong foundations already in place, supporting our teams, and ensuring we continue to deliver consistently for clients across the UK and internationally.” 

“In my role as COO, I’ll also continue supporting our US operation, ensuring we can leverage our global capabilities aiding us in becoming the global agency of choice to many of the world’s largest brands.” 

As we enter this next phase, our focus remains firmly on the continuous quality, consistency and value of our offering, ensuring clients benefit from joined-up thinking, specialist expertise and delivery at scale.