01
15+
Years leading analytics, measurement and data-strategy programmes.
Executive Profile / Growth Analytics
James Henry Olney
Head of Growth Analytics — UK & EMEA. 15+ years building high-performing analytics organisations, strengthening new-business outcomes, and embedding data-driven decisioning into agency and client growth.
Currently
Head of Growth Analytics
Omnicom · UK & EMEA Hub
Availability
4 months notice
Based in London, UK
Fig. 01 · Portrait
London, 2026
Executive Thesis
Build analytics as a growth engine — align data strategy, measurement, and operating models so leadership teams make faster, higher-confidence commercial decisions.
01 / LDN
Growth · Analytics · Measurement · Operating Model
↓ Read the profile
§01
Executive
Summary
What matters most
02
Multi-
Market
Leadership across UK, EMEA, and global client analytics programmes.
03
3 → 17
Team scaled at Mediahub EMEA with analytics embedded in core delivery.
04
Material
Analytics established as a material revenue and growth driver.
§02
Current
Mandate
Role
Head of Growth Analytics
Omnicom · UK & EMEA Hub
Dec 2025 — Present
- 01Leading the transition of Growth Analytics capabilities into Omnicom's UK and EMEA structure following the IPG acquisition.
- 02Supporting post-merger integration through operating-model discovery, capability mapping and process alignment.
- 03Leading analytics contributions to new-business opportunities with strong measurement and effectiveness propositions.
- 04Co-developing growth frameworks that link brand, performance and commercial outcomes.
- 05Partnering with client leadership teams to raise analytics maturity across data, measurement and decisioning.
- 06Building a scalable foundation for future Growth Analytics services as scope expands across the integration roadmap.
Role
Head of Growth Analytics
IPG · UK & EMEA Hub
Apr 2025 — Dec 2025
- 01Led the UK and EMEA Growth Analytics function across local, regional and global accounts from London.
- 02Managed the UK analytics function end-to-end including P&L ownership, resource planning and operating-model design.
- 03Directed analytics for priority pitches, shaping measurement narratives and evidence-led growth strategy.
- 04Led a blended analytics organisation across UK and offshore specialist teams.
- 05Designed and implemented a cross-agency Analytics Centre of Excellence to unify embedded teams under one model.
- 06Established cross-craft working models with Growth, Investment and Global Solutions to improve quality, speed and consistency.
- 07Supported leadership planning and change readiness in the run-up to the IPG acquisition by Omnicom.
§03
Selected
Track Record
2015 — 2026
-
Period
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.
-
Period
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.
-
Period
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.
-
Period
Early Career
Analytics, Search & Marketing Science
Agency & client-side
Built foundational expertise in analytics implementation, experimentation, performance strategy and KPI reporting across agency and client-side environments.
§04
Capabilities
that drive outcomes
Execution Scope
01
Measurement System Design
Joined-up frameworks across brand, performance and commercial KPIs — always-on measurement, incrementality and attribution.
02
AI-Infused Measurement
Machine learning and AI applied to improve measurement quality — anomaly detection, signal extraction, confidence scoring.
03
AI Engineering & Rapid Prototyping
Prototype analytics products fast, validate value in short cycles, then productionise with controls, documentation and adoption plans.
04
AI for Analysis & Decision Support
AI-assisted analysis to accelerate root-cause diagnosis, scenario testing, forecasting and synthesis for faster leadership decisions.
05
Data Products for Media Effectiveness
Reusable products: investment optimisation models, TV attribution solutions, centralised intelligence and reporting workflows.
06
Operating Model & Team Enablement
Standing up analytics operating models and COE structures with clear ways of working, quality standards and capability development.
§05
Selected Sector
Experience
Representative Coverage
-
01
Retail
-
02
Consumer
Goods -
03
Financial
Services -
04
Telecoms
-
05
Mobility &
Automotive -
06
Travel &
Transport -
07
Global
Remittance -
+ Adjacent
Categories
§06
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.
