Havas Creative Group has named Stephanie Nerlich its global chief client officer. Nerlich brings significant expertise in general management, marketing communications and transforming corporate culture to the newly created role after nearly four years at MDC Partners, where she most recently served as EVP partner development and talent (and interim office of the CEO). With a proven track record of building brands and delivering growth, Nerlich will work alongside Tracey Barber, global CMO of Havas Creative Group, and will report into Chris Hirst, global CEO, Havas Creative Group.

While at MDC Partners, Nerlich was responsible for supporting agencies across the broad spectrum of communications services including innovation, advanced analytics, customer experience and digital design, in addition to media, PR, experiential and traditional creative functions. Her role was designed to aid agency CEOs and champion key partner initiatives, drive talent—including recruitment—and evolve platforms for scale. Nerlich collaborated with executive teams to drive organizational structure change, while also fueling creative and operations initiatives. Prior to MDC Partners, Nerlich served as president and CEO of Grey Canada.

As part of Havas Creative Group global CEO Hirst’s global leadership team, Nerlich will be responsible for global client relationship development and best practice. She will work with agency CEOs to support Havas’ portfolio of global and large regional clients, driving integration and ensuring client-centricity is at the core of the group’s growth strategy.