Blakeney Appoints Rob Van Rooyen as Chief Strategy Officer.
Blakeney, a strategic communications and public affairs consultancy based in London, has named advertising industry veteran Rob Van Rooyen as its first Chief Strategy Officer. Van Rooyen brings with him 25 years of experience in senior strategic planning roles at renowned advertising firms such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, and McCann Worldgroup. He is also the founder of the South African integrated advertising firm, the Brave Group, which he sold to FastGro Holdings in 2020. Since 2021, Van Rooyen has worked as a freelance brand and business strategy consultant.
Blakeney’s decision to appoint a Chief Strategy Officer comes amidst a period of continued growth, with the agency reporting a steady annual revenue increase of 30 percent over the past five years. In 2022, their revenues amounted to £3.6 million, and they anticipate over 20 percent growth this year. In his new role, Van Rooyen will oversee strategy work for Blakeney’s existing clients, as well as contribute to new business pitches, proposals, and the agency’s plans to develop innovative products and expand internationally.
Gabe Winn, the agency’s Founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of strategic thinking in addressing complex communication challenges, stating that the creation of the Chief Strategy Officer role ensures the delivery of industry-leading strategic insights to clients. Winn expressed his delight in welcoming Van Rooyen, highlighting his exceptional strategic and creative acumen. Van Rooyen, in turn, praised Blakeney’s forward-thinking approach and its commitment to effecting positive change through strategic communications.
Van Rooyen’s appointment follows the recent additions of Melanie Onn, former Shadow Housing Minister, as a senior adviser, and Dan Hogan, former Labour policy adviser, as a director. Founded by Gabe Winn in 2016, Blakeney now employs 28 individuals and serves clients such as Octopus Energy, Virgin Money, Systemiq, St Modwen, Tropical Forest Alliance, and Pennon Group. The agency’s ranking in the PRWeek Top 150 Consultancies has risen from 131 to 108 this year, with notable revenue growth from £2.8 million in 2021 to £3.6 million in 2022. Additionally, it holds the 19th position in PRWeek’s 2023 public affairs agencies ranking.
Blakeney recently expanded its operations into the United States through a partnership with Global Situation Room, a public affairs firm with offices in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles.
