15+
Years leading analytics, measurement and data strategy programmes.
Growth Analytics Leadership | UK & EMEA
James Henry Olney
Head of Growth Analytics with 15+ years of experience building high-performing analytics organisations, strengthening new business outcomes, and embedding data-driven decisioning into agency and client growth.
Current Role
Head of Growth Analytics
Omnicom UK & EMEA Hub
Availability
4 months notice
Based in London, UK
Executive Summary
What matters most
Multi-market
Leadership across UK, EMEA and global client analytics programmes.
3 -> 17
Team scale delivered at Mediahub EMEA with analytics embedded in core delivery.
Commercial impact
Established analytics as a material revenue and growth driver in agency operating models.
Current Mandate
Head of Growth Analytics, Omnicom UK & EMEA Hub
Dec 2025 - Present
- Leading the transition of Growth Analytics capabilities into Omnicom's UK and EMEA structure following the IPG acquisition.
- Supporting post-merger integration through operating model discovery, capability mapping, and process alignment.
- Leading analytics contributions to new business opportunities with strong measurement and effectiveness propositions.
- Co-developing growth frameworks that link brand, performance and commercial outcomes.
- Partnering with client leadership teams to raise analytics maturity across data, measurement and decisioning.
- Building a scalable foundation for future Growth Analytics services as scope expands across the integration roadmap.
Head of Growth Analytics, IPG UK & EMEA Hub
Apr 2025 - Dec 2025
- Led the UK and EMEA Growth Analytics function across local, regional and global accounts from London.
- Managed the UK analytics function end-to-end, including P&L ownership, resource planning and operating model design.
- Directed analytics for priority pitches, shaping measurement narratives and evidence-led growth strategy.
- Led a blended analytics organisation across UK and offshore specialist teams.
- Designed and implemented a cross-agency Analytics Centre of Excellence to unify embedded teams under one model.
- Established cross-craft working models with Growth, Investment and Global Solutions to improve quality, speed and consistency.
- Supported leadership planning and change readiness in the run-up to the IPG acquisition by Omnicom.
Selected Track Record
2015 - 2026
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Oct 2021 - Mar 2025
Head of Data & Analytics, Mediahub EMEA
Scaled the function from 3 to 17, established analytics as a core agency growth driver, and built advanced products including investment optimisation and always-on brand measurement frameworks.
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Oct 2018 - Oct 2021
Head of Data & Analytics, The Specialist Works
Built and scaled the agency data capability, developed machine learning-led regional incrementality products, and created bespoke TV attribution and marketing intelligence solutions for tier-one client programmes.
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Mar 2015 - Oct 2018
Data Strategy Director, Havas Media Group
Led data strategy for major brands, implemented audience-centric operating models, and launched attribution and segmentation capabilities that improved performance, planning and decision speed.
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Early Career
Analytics, Search & Marketing Science Roles
Built foundational expertise in analytics implementation, experimentation, performance strategy, and KPI reporting across agency and client-side environments.
Capabilities That Drive Outcomes
Execution Scope
Measurement System Design
Designing joined-up frameworks across brand, performance and commercial KPIs, including always-on measurement, incrementality testing and attribution.
AI-Infused Measurement
Applying machine learning and AI to improve measurement quality through anomaly detection, signal extraction, confidence scoring and faster optimisation cycles.
AI Engineering & Rapid Prototyping
Building prototype analytics products quickly, validating value in short cycles, then productionising with controls, documentation and adoption plans.
AI for Analysis & Decision Support
Using AI-assisted analysis to accelerate root-cause diagnosis, scenario testing, forecasting and synthesis for faster leadership decisions.
Data Products for Media Effectiveness
Developing reusable products such as investment optimisation models, TV attribution solutions, and centralised intelligence/reporting workflows.
Operating Model & Team Enablement
Standing up analytics operating models and COE structures, with clear ways of working, quality standards, and capability development across teams.
Selected Sector Experience
Representative Coverage
Retail
Consumer Goods
Financial Services
Telecommunications
Mobility & Automotive
Travel & Transport
Global Remittance
Contact
Open to Strategic Conversations
If you are looking to strengthen growth strategy through analytics leadership, operating model design, or measurement transformation, I am happy to discuss scope and fit.