Grey London Appoints Jai Kotecha as CEO

Grey London has named Jai Kotecha as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 15 January 2026. Kotecha joins from Ogilvy, where he served as EMEA Managing Director of Clients, leading PR, social and influencer work for major global accounts including WPP OpenX’s partnership with The Coca-Cola Company.

Bringing over a decade of leadership experience across London, Amsterdam, and Australia, Kotecha will report to Patou Nuytemans, Ogilvy Group’s CEO for EMEA, and collaborate closely with Grey’s global leaders Jason Kahner (Global Chief Client Officer) and Gabriel Schmitt (Global Chief Creative Officer) to drive the agency’s next chapter of growth.

Before his current EMEA role, Kotecha spent four years as CEO of Ogilvy Netherlands and previously held senior positions at Ogilvy UK, Red Brick Road, and Telstra in Australia. His expertise spans creative integration, digital transformation, and building market-leading social and influencer offerings.

Grey London’s Chief Creative Officer Helen Rhodes welcomed his arrival: “Jai is a champion of creativity and I’m excited to partner with him as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, delivering the kind of ‘Famously effective’ ideas our clients need to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.”

This year, Grey London celebrated standout wins with Tourism Ireland, AB InBev, and Sport Relief, and delivered its strongest Cannes Lions performance in nearly a decade, earning Gold for Stella Artois’ Claustrobars campaign.

On his appointment, Kotecha said:“It is a true privilege to join Grey London at such an exhilarating time. This agency has been driving value for clients for over a century, built on incredible talent and a relentless pursuit of groundbreaking ideas. I’m eager to build on our fantastic momentum and prove what ‘Famously effective’ means for modern, enduring brands.”