Haines in shock Leo Burnett exit

11.55am

Leo Burnett Group’s UK chairman and chief executive Bruce Haines has resigned after almost six years following a “disagreement” with worldwide chief Tom Bernardin over the structure of the UK group. Haines will be replaced by Arc’s European chief Andrew Edwards.

It is not thought that Haines, who joined Leo Burnett as group chief executive at the start of 2002, has a job to go to. Leo Burnett London managing director Paul Lawson has been promoted to group managing director in the new structure.

Haines says: “Unable to reach agreement with Tom over some key issues, I†felt I†had no option but to tender my resignation. I do so with great sadness and am sorry to leave the very talented team we have here in London.”

Edwards previously ran Leo Burnett/Arc in Australia and moved to London in 2005 as Arc’s Europe, Middle East and Africa president. In March this year, he added the managing director role of Arc London to his remit following the departure of Mike Spicer and was also named deputy chairman of the Leo Burnett Group in the UK.

Bernardin adds: “Andrew’s track record for running an aligned Leo/Arc entity is second to none and just as he has injected renewed vigour into the Arc operation in recent months in London, the energy that he’ll bring to the two brands now will be a huge boost for the company.”