Publicis poaches DraftFCB chief

Publicis has poached Nigel Jones, president of DraftFCB London, to become UK group chairman and chief executive. He will report to chief operating officer Richard Pinder

Jones will be responsible for Publicis London, Publicis Modem, Publicis Dialog and Publicis Blueprint. Pinder previously handled the role after the departure of Tim Lindsay, who left to join TBWA/London, last year.

Jones has held a number of high-profile positions in above- and below- the line agencies. He started his career at BMP DDB and founded Jones Mason Barton Antenen in 1999. He later became chief executive of Claydon Heeley after it merged with Jones Mason in 2001.

He joined FCB London in February 2006 as chief executive and was appointed to the position of co-president when the agency merged with Draft (MW June 15, 2006). He later took total control of DraftFCB when its co-president John Minnec returned to the US last February.

He will be replaced by Enda McCarthy, who is currently managing director of DraftFCB.