Houston has promoted Gretel Maltabarow to managing director and Stacey Saunders to general manager.
Stuart O’Brien, CEO and founder of the brand strategy and design consultancy, said he was proud to recognise the talents Maltabarow and Saunders by expanding their remits further across the agency and their clients.
“Gretel and Stacey are two fiercely intelligent, collaborative and creative team members,” O’Brien said. “They have a proven track record in effortlessly making the seemingly impossible happen, in architecting some of the most integrated, innovative and effective work for our clients that keep us on the top of our game.
“But most importantly, their respective promotions demonstrate their ongoing commitment to our team and shows future Houston leaders, that we’ll nurture talent and create new opportunities and pathways for our next generation of leaders to grow. I can’t wait to watch Gretel and Stacey use their wealth of knowledge to drive the business forward and create the next era of Houston,” O’Brien added.
Maltabarow, who was previously group account director, has been with the consultancy for the past eight years. Her new role will allow her to expand on finessing Houston’s core capabilities, drive collaboration across business divisions, foster new business opportunities, and oversee current client relationships.
She will also maintain her leadership of Houston’s account service team and will work closely with O’Brien and Saunders.
Maltabarow said of her new role: “Having watched the business grow and evolve over the past eight years, I’m excited by this next challenge. I feel further empowered to make a positive impact with our amazing team and clients by elevating the agency’s offering, and bring together the cross-function expertise of our teams to power client growth.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity, and couldn’t be happier to share the promotional limelight with the very well-earned step up for Stacey Saunders to general manager.”
Saunders, who has held various roles within the agency – most recently chief of staff – marks a decade at Houston. In her new role as general manager, her new responsibilities encompass pipeline delivery and management, business performance and agency culture, and driving innovation through system change, people, and talent development.
Saunders said: “Over the past decade at Houston, I have experienced all facets of our business and feel so excited to lead Houston into its next growth phase alongside the powerhouses that are Gretel and Stu.
“I am also very excited that my new role will allow me to broaden my impact and provide mentorship across the agency focusing on development and growth for the team,” she added.
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Top image: Stacey Saunders, Stu O’Brien and Greta Maltabarow