Xavier Rees is AMV Group CEO, leading agencies with an enviable roster of clients, including Bupa, Google, Guinness, Mars, Mercedes F1, Pepsi and Starbucks. Since joining in May 2024, he has assembled a formidable new leadership team and reshaped AMV’s offering under 5 key brands – AMV BBDO, native@amv, AMVWorks, redwood@amv and AMV Stream.
Prior to AMV, Rees spent eight years as CEO of Havas Creative Group, including its flagship creative agency Havas London and customer engagement agency Havas CX Helia, overseeing a remarkable transformation of its creative reputation and business performance.
Xav has previously been named Campaign Magazine’s Agency Head of The Year, has also received Oystercatchers’ Outstanding Contribution Award and is regarded as one of the industry’s most celebrated campaigning leaders.
As well as Chairing our Talent Leadership Group, Xav sits on the IPA Council, the Effies UK Board and Purpose Disruptors’ advisory board. He has actively supported the Creative Mentor Network, the Modern Masculinity initiative, Bloom’s reverse mentoring programme and Creative Equals. In 2020, he was named on the IPA’s inaugural iList, recognising the industry’s inclusivity trailblazers.
Before Havas, Rees was Group Managing Director of adam&eveDDB, helping to lead the agency through its most successful period, including winning the Cannes Lions’ coveted global agency of the year accolade. He has also worked for BBH, Wunderman, Archibald Ingall Stretton, and started life as a Product Buyer at Boots.