Simpson takes helm at Publicis London

Publicis London has appointed former Vodafone and Adidas marketer Neil Simpson as chief executive. He replaces Grant Duncan, the former UK chief executive, who left in March and subsequently joined executive search company Grace Blue.

Publicis London has appointed former Vodafone and Adidas marketer Neil Simpson (pictured) as chief executive. He replaces Grant Duncan, the former UK chief executive, who left in March and subsequently joined executive search company Grace Blue.

Simpson will report to Publicis Worldwide chief operating officer Richard Pinder, who becomes chief executive of the UK group of companies including Dialog and Modem, as part of the move.

Simpson joined Coca-Cola in 1993 as the European ad director before moving to Adidas as a senior vice-president. He became global marketing communications director for Vodafone in 2002, leaving in 2006.

He is currently a board director of The PC Guys, the computer support and repair company which was set up with Lance Batchelor, the former Vodafone marketer who is now Tesco UK marketing director (MW†July 25).