Reay emerges as contender for Saatchi chairman post

Saatchi & Saatchi has interviewed former Grey Advertising deputy chairman Carol Reay for the job of executive chairman at its London office.

Saatchi is looking for someone to head the UK agency when joint chief executive Adam Crozier leaves to become chief executive of the Football Association in the New Year. The executive chairman’s role will involve working alongside Tamara Ingram – the other joint chief executive.

A number of other candidates have been linked to the job, including Andrew Robertson, managing director of Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO, although an AMV source says this would be “unthinkable”.

Toby Hoare, former chief executive of Young & Rubicam, who is thought to have held talks with both Grey and Bates UK about taking top jobs, has also been suggested as a candidate.

It is understood Reay has held talks with Saatchi’s worldwide chief executive Kevin Roberts, who has been tipped to offer her the post.

Reay ran Mellors Reay with founding partner Tim Mellors until it was merged with Grey last year. Reay became deputy chairman of Grey, and claims she was promised the role of chairman by April. When this did not materialise, she quit the agency and issued a High Court writ. The action was terminated in October after an out-of-court agreement was reached.