Kevin Roberts Returns with Beattie Hire

Beattie Communications has hired former Saatchi & Saatchi chairman Kevin Roberts, following a public spat in August in which he made controversial comments about the state of gender equality in adland.

Roberts was asked to leave by Publicis chairman and CEO Maurice Levy after an interview with Business Insider, where he revealed that he thought the gender bias in the industry was “done.”

Roberts resigned after his 20-year career at the group, but insists he was “tired, fatigued in the middle of interview number four and not at [his] best.” He gave the interview after an overnight flight from New York to London.

He still believes his comment was “taken out of context.”

Now Roberts has joined the PR and advertising agency as its chairman. His responsibilities include mentoring the senior team and developing the company’s presence as it expands into Canada and opens offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

“We are delighted to have recruited one of the world’s most inspirational business minds to help us expand in the UK, North America and Australasia,” says the group’s CEO Laurna Woods.

Beattie also boasts a favourable female leadership team, with seven out of ten of the leadership positions secured by women. Looks like Roberts' past is truly behind him.