David Jones set to depart as Global CEO Havas and CEO Havas Worldwide; roles to be split between Yannick Bolloré and Andrew Benett

Havas announced today that Global CEO David Jones – who started his career with the group as CEO of Euro RSCG Sydney – will be leaving the company to become co-founder and CEO of a new tech start-up that will launch next month.

Andrew Benett, co-president Havas Worldwide, is now promoted to CEO of the advertising network and will report to Yannick Bolloré, who takes on the role of Global CEO of Havas. These leadership changes are effective immediately.

Says Bolloré: “It’s a very exciting time for Havas. We are well on our way to realizing our goal of being the most integrated and innovative communications group of our industry. I would like to thank David for the impact he has made at Havas over the last 15 years. Thanks to his talent, David has contributed significantly to the improvement of the results and organization of the Group and its standing amongst clients and in the industry. I wish him all the best for his future business.”

Jones, who is also the Guardian’s Sustainable Business Leader of the Year for 2013 and co- founder of One Young World, leaves the Group by agreement with Havas’s management and will be retained as advisor to the Havas Chairman & CEO throughout 2014.

Says Jones: “If I were going to stay in the industry it would be at Havas, but I have always had a burning desire to be an entrepreneur and this is too exciting an opportunity to not seize. Those people who know me know my two passions in business are social media and social responsibility and this new venture combines the two.

“I want to thank the Bolloré Group and Vincent Bolloré in particular for his support and mentorship over the last eight years and wish Yannick every success.”

Adds Bolloré: “I also want to congratulate Andrew for his promotion. I have no doubt that with the Havas Worldwide leadership team they will continue to drive the growth and evolution of our network over the coming months and years.”

Says Benett: “I’m looking forward to my expanded role and to continuing to implement our strategy in partnership with Yannick and the leadership team at Havas. It’s an incredibly exciting time as we continue to build strong relationships with our clients, helping them to innovate and grow their businesses.”