McCann Worldgroup Names Bertille Calinaud to Lead Diversity & Inclusion in Europe and UK

McCann Worldgroup announced today that Bertille Calinaud has been named regional director, diversity, equity and inclusion, Europe & UK, McCann Worldgroup. She joins from ITV where she had been diversity and inclusion manager, spearheading the design and implementation of impactful inclusion and diversity strategies and creating innovative ways to embed inclusion throughout the organisation, the longest-standing commercial TV network in the UK.

In her new role, Bertille will support the network’s continuing mission to drive a culture of Conscious Inclusion through diversity programs and initiatives across the region for the agency, its employees and its clients.

“DE&I is a business-critical area that influences both the way we work together, and the products and solutions we create for our client partners. Our #1 strategic priority is Conscious Inclusion and we are committed to embedding it across this vibrant region of 3000 people, who collectively speak 38 languages, into our every-day decisions and interactions,” said Mark Lund, president, Europe & UK, McCann Worldgroup. He added, “We want to create an environment that maximises creativity, allows it to thrive, and enable our community to reach their true potential. Bertille brings a wealth of experience which will enable us to do that even more effectively and we are absolutely delighted to have her join our team.” 

McCann Worldgroup has achieved many DE&I milestones over the past few years focused on unconscious bias and cultural sensitivity across the region including: partnership with key organisations such as Creative Equals, Stonewall and timeTo; the foundation and activation of Conscious Inclusion Councils in both the UK & Europe and a comprehensive program of employee mentorship programs and DE&I Leadership training. Globally the network’s enterprise-wide strategy and guiding philosophy of Conscious Inclusion, is supported with a comprehensive framework to guide and align the group’s network-wide DE&I efforts. This includes the annual McCann Worldgroup global Day for Meaning event, a first-of-its kind global change management model and global activation, designed to disrupt and shift daily behaviours and decisions that have traditionally been barriers to success.

Bertille will report directly to Shipra Roy, chief talent officer for Europe & UK, and will partner closely with Mark Lund, in addition to the network’s global DE&I team, led by Singleton Beato, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.

In this position, Bertille will focus on the development and implementation of high impact country-specific D&E and Inclusion plans, programmes, partnerships and initiatives that foster a culture where talent from all social, cultural, gender, age, religious, political and economic backgrounds experience a sense of connection, belonging and purpose.

Bertille brings over 11 years' of DE&I experience to the role across a range of sectors, both leading on inclusion and diversity internally and, as a consultant to organisations supporting them in harnessing the benefits of inclusion. 

Said Bertille on the new role: “I’m so excited to join McCann Worldgroup’s team in the UK and Europe. Advertising has such an opportunity to be a force for change in inclusion and diversity, both within the industry and in our society. McCann Worldgroup has a strong commitment to innovation in this field and is really focused on driving rapid change in this business-critical area. I’m looking forward to contributing to the on-going creation of a culture of conscious inclusion, both from within and for our clients.”

Commenting on Bertille’s appointment, Singleton Beato, EVP, global chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, McCann Worldgroup, said: “Our global DE& strategy is key to achieving our vision to become the #1 creatively-driven global marketing company. We are deeply committed to making the systemic and structural changes necessary to ensure employees, clients, and the consumers the agency's clients serve, feel seen, heard, represented and respected. Bertille will help us to advance this foundational strategy across this key region and I look forward to partnering with her to drive our progress and momentum even further.”

Bertille replaces Sufia Parkar who has been promoted to a global role as global associate director, DE&I for McCann Worldgroup, after two years in the regional role.