Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Ben McNaughton as Head of Design, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to expanding its specialist design capabilities within its integrated creative department.
McNaughton’s appointment signals a strategic move to strengthen design leadership at the heart of the agency’s creative output. He joins Chief Creative Officer Franki Goodwin’s senior leadership team, working alongside Executive Creative Director William John and Head of Creative Caroline Paris. In his new role, McNaughton will report directly to Goodwin as part of the agency’s wider growth strategy.
Before joining Saatchi & Saatchi, McNaughton spent 16 years at Mother London, where he most recently served as Head of Design from 2023. Over the course of his tenure, he played a pivotal role in building and scaling Mother’s Communication Design department, contributing significantly to its reputation for high-impact, award-winning creative work.
McNaughton led design across a portfolio of global brands, including IKEA — a client he worked with for more than a decade — as well as KFC, Starbucks, Trainline, and Uber. His experience across global retail, food, mobility and lifestyle brands positions him to drive innovative, design-led solutions at Saatchi & Saatchi.
Strengthening Creative Leadership in 2026
This leadership hire reflects a broader industry trend of agencies investing in specialist design disciplines to enhance brand storytelling, integrated campaigns, and customer experience. As agencies compete for creative excellence and global recognition, strengthening in-house design expertise has become a critical differentiator.
With McNaughton’s proven track record in building high-performing design teams and delivering award-winning brand work, Saatchi & Saatchi is poised to further elevate its creative output and integrated marketing capabilities.
