Karen Blackett OBE

Karen Blackett OBE

Born in Barbados but raised in Reading, Karen has been in media for 22 years and is currently Chairperson of MediaCom, the largest media agency in the UK with billings over £l billion. Prior to this Karen was CEO for 5 years. Karen has been instrumental not only in the success of MediaCom, but in championing diversity throughout the advertising and media industry. In 2012 Karen launched the first ever Government backed Apprentice Scheme for the sector, where the apprentices qualify for an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Marketing and Communications. In June 2014, Karen received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours and in 2015 Karen was the first business woman to be named Britain’s Most Influential Black person in the Power List. In 2015 Karen was appointed as one of four external advisors to help diversify the Civil Service, and as a DIT (Department for International Trade) Business Ambassador for No 10. Karen is also a Non-Exec for Creative England whose’ focus is to support new and emerging talent in the Creative Industry helping grow the UK Economy. In March 2016 Karen became the President of NABS, the advertising industry charity which focuses on health and wellbeing in the workplace and presenting the business case for Diversity.

stories,westindians

1971-08-07

Person

6152

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Karen

Blackett