Stagwell media agency Assembly has announced several high-level appointments including the addition of Paul Keeble as global CFO.   

James Appleby has been promoted from UK managing partner to UK managing director, and Ryan Garner has been named to the new role of chief activation officer in MENA (Middle East/North Africa).  

Keeble, who reports to global CEO Rick Acampora, has held top finance positions at agencies including Wavemaker, Fetch, The Marketing Store, and Draft FCB. He also served for a time at Deloitte. He succeeds Mike Law who had been doing double duty as CFO at Assembly and Stagwell’s Brand Performance Network. Law is now shifting full-time to the latter.  

Appleby, as UK managing director, will report to Europe CEO Matt Adams; he is tasked with expanding market reach and cultivating stronger ties with UK clients as the agency increases its investment in the region. He joined Assembly in September 2023 as one of three new managing partners.   

Garner will spearhead media activation and delivery as MENA CAO, reporting to Assembly MENA CEO, Faisal Dean, and oversee the paid media division of 140 people. Garner brings over 15 years of digital experience, leading teams at Publicis and Dentsu, and working with clients such as P&G, Stellantis, and YOOX Net-a-Porter (Ynap).