Iain Valentine Appointed as Non-Executive Chair of Muckle Media
Muckle Media, the creative communications agency, has appointed Iain Valentine as its first Non-Executive Chair. With a wealth of experience in leading award-winning digital, creative, and brand agencies, Iain brings over 25 years of strategic leadership and agency growth to Muckle Media, the first Scottish PR Agency to achieve B-Corp certification. Iain’s appointment follows the recent promotion of Muckle Media’s former creative lead, Jacquelyn Whyte, to director responsible for creative thinking and business development.
Iain spent 17 years as Creative Director, co-owner and Managing Partner of Edinburgh creative digital agency Whitespace (now Dentsu Creative). Iain has a proven track record of growth, leading an MBO followed by external acquisition and integration into global network Dentsu. In 2020, Iain took the position of CEO at Isobar UK– Dentsu’s global digital experience and transformation agency, responsible for over 400 people and £24m in revenue. Most recently, Valentine held a leadership and transformation role as Group Managing Director of Dentsu Creative before stepping down in 2022 to pursue a portfolio career.
Commenting on his appointment, Iain said: “I am incredibly excited to take on this new role as part of the progressive and dynamic leadership at Muckle Media. The team’s alignment to B-Corp certification and depth of commitment to its people and culture align with my own beliefs and are key to success in a modern agency.”
As Non-Executive Chair, Iain will play a pivotal role in guiding Muckle Media’s leadership team’s strategic direction, leveraging his extensive experience and industry insights to support the agency’s ambitious growth plans.
Founder and Managing Director of Muckle Media, Nathalie Agnew, welcomed Iain’s appointment, stating, “We are really looking forward to working with Iain as we continue to grow an exciting, impactful and creative agency that helps leave the world in a better place. Iain’s impressive track record leading the growth of Whitespace means he has overcome many of the challenges facing agencies and also identified and worked through many of the opportunities for growth, so his insights will be invaluable. Iain’s approach to agency advisory services is well aligned against our values and I look forward to working with him as we continue to sustainably grow the business.”
Iain’s appointment as Non-Executive Chair signifies an exciting new chapter for Muckle Media, as the agency continues to solidify its position as a leading force in the creative communications industry in Scotland and beyond.
Muckle Media’s leadership team, who will work closely with Iain, is made up of Nathalie Agnew, founder and managing director; Chris Batchelor, director (client service); Linsay Brown, director (people and culture) and Jacquelyn Whyte, director (creativity and business development).
With a strong focus on employer brand and ongoing development into its “Bright Ideas. Realised.” strategic planning framework, Muckle Media is firmly earning its position as one of Scotland’s top creative communications agencies with a specialism in earned media and influencer relations. It works with brands including the Scottish Government, The National Trust for Scotland and Bella & Duke pet food.