Shape History, the impact-first communications agency, has announced a new leadership structure as it enters its next phase of growth with a new senior leadership team.
Under the new structure, Ed Fletcher will lead the agency as Chief Executive Officer, Hannah Johnson joins as Chief Partnership Officer, and, after a decade at the agency, Lewis Parker steps into the role of Chief Strategy Officer. Hannah and Lewis join as shareholders and will join the board alongside Ed Fletcher.
Lisa Maidment also joins the team permanently as Creative Director, bringing 25 years of experience in conceptual and campaign design for global brands, NHS and the UK government.
Lauren Kay-Lambert, who has played a central role in shaping the agency’s direction and growth as Co-Managing Director, will now support the business through a Board position, helping guide its long-term vision, governance and impact.
The move comes as social impact organisations face a more complex communications and funding landscape, with pressure on budgets, changing supporter behaviours, increasing competition for attention and growing demand for campaigns that can build trust, shift behaviour and grow income.
The new leadership team will focus on evolving Shape History’s offer across brand, change consultancy, fundraising, behaviour change and campaign development — helping institutions, foundations, funders and non-profits clarify their role, reach the right audiences and build the momentum needed to create social and financial impact.
Ed Fletcher, CEO at Shape History, said:
“This is a pivotal moment for agencies, and an even more important moment for organisations working to create social impact. Budgets are under pressure, audiences are shifting, and the communications landscape is changing rapidly. But the need for bold, thoughtful and effective work has never been greater. Our new leadership structure is designed to help Shape History meet that moment with clarity, creativity and purpose.”
The announcement follows a period of momentum for the agency, including new partnerships with the British Academy and the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, alongside recently completed work with Girls Not Brides, the Miscarriage Association and Women Deliver.
Hannah Johnson, Chief Partnership Officer, said:
“What drew me to Shape History was the combination of ambition, talent and genuine appetite for change. At a time when many organisations are having to navigate more fragmented funding environments, shifting public attitudes and increasingly complex issue landscapes, partnership has never mattered more. I’m excited to help Shape History build the kinds of relationships that unlock better thinking, braver work and deeper impact.”
Lewis Parker, Chief Strategy Officer, said:
“This is an exciting moment to step into this role. The pressure our sector is currently facing is also clarifying. It’s pushing organisations to build stronger, more distinctive identities, to think harder about who really needs to move and how, and to design work with impact in mind from the very start rather than bolting it on at the end. Our role is to help partners ask better questions, understand their audiences more clearly and build strategies that can move people, resources and systems. Because the only question that really matters is: did we actually change something? That’s the direction I’m excited to see Shape History grow into.”
Shape History’s new leadership team will focus on strengthening the agency’s strategic offer, building long-term partnerships and developing new models for collaboration across campaigns, communications, brand, narrative and movement-building.
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