Stephen was appointed CEO in October 2016. Prior to joining, Stephen held management roles in four agency groups (Leo Burnett, WCRS/Engine and DDB/adam&eveDDB and Next 15). He is a Governor of Ravensbourne University, the UK’s newest creative and technology university, is a past President of NABS and serves on the board of the History of Advertising Trust. He was IPA President (2003-05) where he led both their first ethnic diversity initiative and launched its professional qualifications for new industry entrants, which over 20,000 people have now passed in the UK and around the world.

Sharon is Commercial Director and Inclusion Lead at the Advertising Association, which represents the UK advertising industry and includes advertisers, agencies, media owners, tech platforms and production companies in its membership.

Previously, she ran magazine ad sales teams in London and New York before co-founding The Drive Partnership, a consultancy working with businesses across a range of sectors to build profitable growth. Outside of work, Sharon co-founded a school for autistic children in 2000 – now called Beyond Autism – serving children from most London boroughs.

Matt is the Director of Communications for the Advertising Association and has represented the organisation in the media and as a brand ambassador on many occasions.

Prior to working for UK advertising’s trade body, he cut his teeth in PR for tech and films, before becoming MD of the UK’s leading specialist media PR consultancy, Braben.

Lisa is the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the Advertising Association. She leads on driving engagement with parliamentarians and Westminster, as well as being responsible for responding to UK and European policy issues which affect the advertising and marketing industries.

A former Chair of Westminster Forum, Lisa has a career background working in financial services and investment as the Director of Political and Business Relations at KPMG and the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. She was also Head of Parliamentary Affairs at the CBI and was most recently working at the House of Commons on engagement with MPs and Peers on the restoration programme of the Houses of Parliament. Lisa is also a Director of the Enterprise Forum.