Chris Hirst

Change Agent, former Global CEO Havas Creative Group and Author

Author •
Business Leader

Change agent Chris Hirst, is the former Global CEO Havas Creative Group and UK CEO of Grey (part of WPP). An innovative and inspirational leader, Chris has a proven track record of leading successful transformation programmes, guiding his businesses to record growth, product reinvention, reputational change and establishing a culture of enduring success.

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What Chris Hirst's clients say

Here is some of the feedback from audiences and clients who have worked with Chris.

"Chris Hirst is one of the stars of his generation."

Campaign Magazine

"Quite simply he’s the right guy…right leader…right time…with all the right answers.. A very rare quality."

Jeff Charney,

CMO,

Progressive Insurance

"‘Chris’ no nonsense practical words of advice are highly relevant and refreshing. He skips the theory and gets into real world applications to transform business to be the best it can be."

Lindsley Ruth,

CEO,

RS-Components

"Chris has mastered the art of communicating advanced leadership concepts in a very digestible format that is memorable and effective."

Samantha Yap,

Founder & CEO,

Yap Global

"His clarity of thought and judgement make Chris a rare breed. I really value his grasp of what it takes to lead effectively and the straight-talking way he does it."

Nina Bibby,

SVP Consumer Segment Marketing,

Verizon

"One of my favourite books on leadership. Chris had me nodding from the first chapter."

Kim Faura,

COO,

Giff Gaff

"A brilliant leader with sound knowledge and insights; simple yet effective."

Sachin Mehta,

Country Manager India,

William Grant & Sons

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English

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Chris Hirst's 2025 biography

Chris Hirst is a change agent, widely recognised as an innovative and inspirational leader and speaker. He is the former Global CEO of Havas Creative Group and UK CEO of Grey (part of WPP). After more than a decade in CEO positions he has a proven track record of leading successful transformation programmes, guiding his businesses to record growth, product reinvention, reputational change and a culture of enduring success. He is founder of leadership consultancy Dogsbody Group, speaker, columnist and author.

His first book, No Bullsh*t Leadership (Profile Books, 2019) has been a No.1 best-seller for over 36 months and is available around the world. It was named UK Business Book of the Year in March 2020. Based on his hard-won experience this smart, engaging book wipes away the bullshit that surrounds conventional leadership theory and is a proven step-by-step working manual on how to lead – for anyone. Full of universally applicable and direct advice, it demystifies an over-analysed subject to get to the heart of modern leadership: the life-changing, career-transforming power to get stuff done. A recommended essential read in the FT, it was described by Sir Clive Woodward as, ‘a brilliant set of leadership tools that will help you succeed, whatever your goals.’

As Global CEO, Havas Creative Group Chris led more than 10,000 people across all Havas’ global territories, taking the business from an ‘also ran’ to second place in Campaign Magazine’s global rankings in three short years. He oversaw two years of record growth and profits and was shortlisted as global CEO of the year in 2022. During his 5-year tenure as UK CEO of Grey (part of WPP), the agency more than tripled in size, and quadrupled its profit during its transformation into one of the hottest, fastest growing and most creatively respected agencies in the world.

A graduate of Brasenose College Oxford (MEng Engineering Science) and Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Program), Chris writes a monthly column for Management Today, is the founder of leadership consultancy Dogsbody Group Ltd, has over ½ million listens for his No Bullsh*t Leadership podcast, and is a regular commentator in press and broadcast media.