Brand strategy and design consultancy Houston has made two promotions within its leadership team, with Gretel Maltabarow elevated to the role of Managing Director and Stacey Saunders stepping up as General Manager.

Maltabarow, who has been with Houston for eight years, previously held the position of Group Account Director. In her new role, she will focus on expanding Houston's core capabilities, enhancing creative and strategic rigour, driving collaboration across business divisions, fostering new business opportunities, and nurturing current client relationships.

"Having watched the business grow and evolve over the past eight years, I'm excited by this next challenge. I feel further empowered to make a positive impact with our amazing team and clients by elevating the agency's offering, and bring together the cross-function expertise of our teams to power client growth. I'm grateful for this opportunity, and couldn't be happier to share the promotional limelight with the very well-earned step up for Stacey Saunders to General Manager," said Maltabarow.

Saunders, who has been with Houston for a decade, previously served as Chief of Staff. Her new responsibilities include pipeline delivery and management, creating greater business performance and agency culture, and driving innovation through system change, people and talent development.

"Over the past decade at Houston, I have experienced all facets of our business and feel so excited to lead Houston into its next growth phase alongside the powerhouses that are Gretel and Stu. I am also very excited that my new role will allow me to broaden my impact and provide mentorship across the agency focusing on development and growth for the team," Saunders said.

Both Maltabarow and Saunders will report directly to CEO & Founder Stu O'Brien. "Gretel and Stacey are two fiercely intelligent, collaborative and creative team members. They have a proven track record in effortlessly making the seemingly impossible happen, in architecting some of the most integrated, innovative and effective work for our clients that keep us on the top of our game," said O'Brien.

"But most importantly their respective promotions demonstrate their ongoing commitment to our team and shows future Houston leaders, that we'll nurture talent and create new opportunities and pathways for our next generation of leaders to grow. I can't wait to watch Gretel and Stacey use their wealth of knowledge to drive the business forward and create the next era of Houston."