Events agency Identity has announced key changes to its leadership team, with founder Michael Gietzen taking on the role of CEO and Paul Fitzpatrick appointed as MD.

Moving into the newly created CEO position will enable Gietzen to focus on developing Identity’s worldwide reputation and steering its global growth strategy. This will encompass organic international expansion as well as identifying acquisition opportunities.

Fitzpatrick is the natural successor for the MD role, having been Identity’s operations director for eight years, and best placed to direct the agency’s ambitious short and medium-term strategy.

Meanwhile, Janet Dodd, a stalwart on the board, takes on the role of chief strategy officer where her considerable experience of client relationships and high-profile projects will help direct sustainable growth.

Joining the board of directors is Simon Dunnell, who joined Identity in 2020 and brings global experience to the agency’s worldwide project delivery capability.

Former finance director, Mike Prior, moves to the newly created role of mergers and acquisitions director, while Kal Bhadresa joins Identity as its new finance director. Championing Identity’s people-first approach, Mary Carter-Lee remains in the role of people & culture director.

Gietzen said: “To steer the agency through this new era of global events we have evolved our leadership team. The new opportunities created for this team allow me to take a step back from day-to-day operations to focus on extending the scope and global growth of the agency. Central to this is the role of MD, with Paul taking the reins supported by a powerhouse leadership team that I am confident will continue Identity’s success.”

Fitzpatrick added: “Identity is evolving and adapting to new market conditions. Having successfully navigated the pandemic, we have now created an enhanced leadership team of incredibly talented individuals that are poised to embrace the exciting challenges and opportunities of the global events industry.”