Stephen Woodford

Stephen was appointed CEO of the Advertising Association (AA) in 2016. The AA celebrated its centenary in 2026 and its mission is 'to promote the role and rights of responsible advertising - trusted, inclusive and sustainable - and its value to people, society, business and the economy.'

Prior to joining the AA, Stephen held top management roles in four advertising agency groups (Leo Burnett, WCRS/Engine and DDB/adam&eveDDB and Next 15 plc).

He chaired youth marketing agency Livity, a purpose-driven creative business that specialises in youth audiences and opening up opportunities for diverse talent.

Previous Board roles include Deputy Chair of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Chair of Changing Faces, a facial disfigurement charity. 

Stephen is also a past President of the National Advertising Benevolent Society and is on the board of the History of Advertising Trust.

He was IPA President (2003-05) where he introduced professional qualifications for advertising people, which over 20,000 people have passed in the UK and around the world.