Howatson+Company has appointed its first Chief Creative Officer since Levi Slavin's departure from the independent agency in early 2023, handing the remit to former Executive Creative Director, Gavin Chimes.

Chimes, who first joined the agency as ECD in 2021, will helm a newly structured creative leadership team, with Richard Shaw also elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Creative Officer.

Chimes has been recognised globally or his work and is ranked #6 Executive Creative Director (ECD) at D&AD. He was also named Australian Creative of the Year and has won over 100 awards. Prior to his tenure at Howatson+Company, Chimes worked at several notable agencies including CHE Proximity, Clemenger BBDO, Marcel, and Droga5.

"Gav's promotion is in recognition of his leadership and creative excellence, but most especially his tenacity in always seeking the best outcome for our clients. No brief is too small. No objective too challenging. Gav is a true believer of effectiveness as the strategy, creativity as the solution. I'm very proud to have him lead the creative product of our fabulous agency as CCO," said founder and CEO of Howatson+Company, Chris Howatson.

Richard Shaw joined Howatson+Company in 2022 as Executive Creative Director from CHEP, where he led Samsung, Australia's largest integrated account in one agency. Shaw brings nearly two decades of experience to his new role and has worked across a portfolio of integrated clients at some of Australia's top agencies. His work has been recognised at every major global award show for its creativity, craft, and effectiveness.

"Rich's promotion is in recognition of his uncompromising commitment to our clients with creativity always as the answer. He is a calm, guiding hand, regardless how complex the conditions. And an exceptional people leader. I couldn't be more proud of Gav and Rich and confident in our future," Howatson said.

The CCO role has been vacant since Levi Slavin exited the agency in early 2023 to join cookware startup Ironclad Co alongside his wife and former Colenso alumni Joe Carter.

"It's been a privilege helping build something extraordinary over the last few years. Yet it's only the start. We look forward to continuing H+CO's trajectory, working with wonderful people and clients to make the best work in the world," said Chimes and Shaw.