Havas helia CEO Leaves to Lead Tesco Loyalty Scheme

Tash Whitmey, the CEO of Havas Worldwide's customer engagement agency Havas helia, is leaving the business to join Tesco in the newly created role of Loyalty and Membership Director, leading the supermarket giant's Customer Loyalty Marketing scheme.

Whitmey (pictured) will join next year, after more than six years at Havas helia, which was formed through the merger of digital agency EHS and data intelligence agency Havas Discovery. The firm - which analyses patterns in human behaviour and combines the findings with cultural understanding to develop creative ideas - works with Tesco on its Clubcard, which now has more than 16 million members. Whitmey was previously Group MD of Havas business EHS 4D Group, and MD of Euro RSCG, having earlier served as Account Manager, Data by Design, at ICD. Commenting on her new role, Whitmey said the opportunity to work on Clubcard at Tesco was too exciting to miss, and she can't wait to get started.

In a statement, Chris Hirst, Chairman of Havas UK and CEO, Europe, said: 'When the opportunity arose to lead the UK's original loyalty scheme, we couldn't stand in Tash's way. While we are hugely disappointed to see her leave, it's a brilliant opportunity for her and we're equally excited to have her as a client. We'll be working with Tash and her team over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth handover, as well as the right shape for the helia business moving forward'.

Web sites: www.havashelia.com and www.tesco.com .