Leo Burnett Sydney appoints Jonny Bucknall and James Walker-Smith as group business directors

October 13 2015, 11:00 am | BY Ricki Green | 13 Comments

James Walker-Smith, Amanda Quested and Jonny Bucknall - Leo Burnett Sydney (1).jpgLeo Burnett Sydney has bolstered its account management team with the appointment of two group business directors Jonny Bucknall (right) and James Walker-Smith (left), following a global talent search.

Bringing with them combined industry expertise of more than 25 years; Bucknall and Walker-Smith are exceptional operators who will further enhance the agency’s senior offering.

Bucknall joins Leo’s from BMF where he spent four years, the past three as group account director running the ALDI piece of business. He has also worked as account director at Publicis Mojo and at award-winning independent London agency Isobel Advertising. Bucknall brings 12 year’s industry experience, having begun his career at M&C Saatchi, London.

Walker-Smith joins Leo Burnett from London, where he spent more than 13 years working in the industry, including four years as board account director at AMV BBDO, two as group director and new business director at Glue London and another two in a group director role with Grand Union. 

His new appointment is a homecoming of sorts for Walker-Smith, who began his career with a five-year stint as account director at Leo Burnett London back in 2002.

The pair brings significant expertise gained leading account teams working on high profile clients. Bucknall has delivered results for big names including ALDI, Ferrero, MLA, Expedia, Weight Watchers, Kettle Chips, SAB Miller and the Conservative Party, while Walker-Smith counts multiple award-winning clients like The Economist, Pepsi Max, Doritos, Royal Bank of Scotland and the renowned Think! road safety campaign amongst his many client successes.

Says Amanda Quested (pictured above, centre), client services director, Leo Burnett Sydney: “The search for the best talent and the best fit for Leo’s was a global one that has delivered a great outcome.

“Our ever-evolving agency model and substantial growth created the opportunity to seek out the high calibre talents of James and Jonny to join Leo’s senior leadership. I believe past performance is the best indicator of future performance and both James and Jonny have brilliant track records of achievement, together with a huge appetite for ambitious, effective and innovative ideas.”