Kate Gomes is MHP’s new Head of Strategy, joining from H&K Strategies, where she served as Corporate Strategy Director. Her career has spanned the House of Commons, the Cabinet Office, the IPPR and clients including Shell, GE and DS Smith. She will work with Deputy CEO Nick Barron to drive forward the company’s Networked Age behavioural science research and consultancy programme.

Luke Walker is MHP’s new Head of Creative, joining from Weber Shandwick, where he served as Creative Director, helping to create award winning work such as Brutal Cut for Action Aid and Deep Fraud for HSBC.

In addition to overseeing all Strategy and Creative work for MHP, Kate and Luke will help to accelerate the growth of MHP Mischief’s new creative content team, Studio, which is led by Gemma Irvine.

Studio’s recent work has included a series of documentaries for AstraZeneca about the making of their Covid-19 vaccine, developing the visual identity and launch assets for Global Youth Mobilisation, and developing Wine Drinkers UK’s social media strategy for its campaign on tax.

Studio will support the work of the combined agency, marking another step in the integration of the MHP and Mischief brands.

The move follows a period of strong growth for MHP Mischief which has recently added major new clients including fintech giant Plaid, online electrical retailer AO, and train operator Avanti West Coast.

Alex Bigg, CEO of MHP Mischief said:

“In a polarised and information-saturated world, communications strategy rooted in real audience insight has never been more important, while creative work needs to be outstanding in order to cut through.

“Kate and Luke are exceptional talents, who will help us fulfil our ambition to create an integrated agency built for The Networked Age. They will work closely with Gemma Irvine and her Studio team to develop more effective and powerful campaigns, with long-term impact.”

Kate Gomes added:

“MHP Mischief is an agency that’s got it’s finger on the pulse on issues that really count, from polarisation to vaccination. I’m thrilled to be joining to help deliver continued timely, impactful strategic work. MHP Mischief is an agency that’s going places and I couldn’t be more delighted to be going places with them.”

Luke Walker said:

“The chance to lead the creative output of this agency is a huge opportunity, as the talent, ambition and momentum are all there. I firmly believe we can do something special. The aim is to create industry-defining work – work that persuades, changes behaviour and makes people act. I can’t wait to get started.”