Integrated brand engagement agency Havas Play UK expands its management team with the promotion of Charlie Hugill to group managing partner and the hiring of Tom D’Arcy and Karl Newman as managing partners. The additions of D’Arcy and Newman bolster Havas Play’s UK management team, readying the network for its next phase of growth and advancing its mission to help clients play meaningfully in culture and activate in the places that matter most to people.
First having joined Havas in 2014, Hugill returned to the network in 2021 as Live Experience Director, rising to Managing Partner in 2024. She has steered the EE account, held by Havas Play for over 20 years, winning numerous awards including a gold UK Sponsorship Award (2023) and recognition at the Campaign Tech Awards (2023), Campaign Experience Awards (2022, 2023 & 2024), Creative Circle Awards (gold – 2024), and Clio Sport Awards (2024). Prior to Havas Play, Hugill managed O2 Music’s sponsorship portfolio, ran a global music platform for ibis Music, and led experiential campaigns for Netflix, Jägermeister and PlayStation. With 15 years of brand experience, she has worked with clients including Aston Martin F1, PUMA, JD Sports and JBL.
On her promotion, Hugill said:“Thrilled to continue my journey with Havas Play and especially excited to work with Tom and Karl who bring rich heritage and experience. With new clients and talent coming in, I’m excited to connect brands with passions, people and communities, driving business growth and taking the Play community to new heights.”
Tom D’Arcy joins Havas Play as managing partner, bringing over a decade of experience across agencies, in-house sports marketing and rightsholder. D’Arcy comes to Havas Play from TransferRoom, and his previous experiences include partnerships director at Manchester United Football Club, where he oversaw record breaking kit launches and award-winning activation, notably Roy Keane - A Deal with the Devil. His career includes seven years at CSM Sport & Entertainment (now Wasserman) where he managed global sponsorship activations with brands such as Unilever, Betfair and Hisense, as well as McCann and VCCP. At Havas Play, D’Arcy will lead partnership strategy and activation across all EE Home Nations partners and BAFTA.
Karl Newman join Havas Play as managing partner, previously having led the UK content division of Publicis Media through a period of rapid growth, scaling it to nearly 90 specialists and evolving the offer to encompass influencer marketing, social content, and cutting-edge tech integration. Prior to Publicis, Newman traded media at Channel 5 for over ten years, selling and negotiating airtime, partnerships and VOD. Bringing over 20 years of experience in media, content strategy and creative leadership, Newman will collaborate with the wider Havas Media Network UK team, identifying opportunities for clients to play in culture and deliver against their business objectives.
On the management team expansion, Havas Play UK managing director Lucy Basden-Smith said: “Thanks to a flurry of projects, wins and retentions since launching in 2023, we’re ready for our next phase of growth with expert talent leading our teams. In Charlie, Tom and Karl, we are capable of building brilliant integrated campaigns that help clients play meaningfully in culture.”
The expansion of Havas Play’s management team in the UK comes on the heels of transformative growth for the offering, including Havas Media Network (HMN) UK’s integration of Wilderness (acquired 2024), Simbiotik and Organic into Havas Play, and Nick Wright’s promotion from chief growth officer of HMN UK to CEO of Havas Play UK.
