Karen Martin

CEO

Karen Martin is a dynamic leader who has reshaped BBH for a new generation, while ensuring the iconic agency stays true to its extraordinary legacy. In 2023, Karen led BBH to achieve outstanding growth, deliver on its promise to Zag for its clients and the industry, and diversify across specialisms including health and design.

Under Karen’s stewardship, BBH achieved its strongest revenue growth in eight years, brought in new clients including Candy Crush, Premier League and Paddy Power; boosted organic growth across existing clients; and delivered a 10% growth in headcount while reducing staff churn to 14% vs industry average of 21%. Under Karen, BBH delivered stand-out work for brands including GirlvsCancer, Tesco and Premier League, and won 60+ creative awards across 12 disciplines, with BBH becoming the 2nd and 3rd most awarded agency at the Creative Circle and British Arrows respectively and taking home Agency of the Year at the Marketing Week awards. Karen also invested in craft, expanding BBH’s BAFTA-award-winning Black Sheep Studios and championing creative talent through BBH’s short film competition, Differently Does It. Karen advanced DE&I introducing pioneering new initiatives such as HERd, a female-focused training platform in partnership with NABs, and expanding DE&I programmes The Barn, BBH Homegrown and Unsigned Union.