Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
KARIMA BOUGHELAF

KARIMA BOUGHELAF

London

Summary

Dynamic executive leader with a proven track record in driving business and revenue growth through strategic partnerships and commercial strategy. Expertise in team development, organisational and operational excellence, and client acquisition and retention. Committed to leveraging business and creative strategy to achieve long-term success and foster innovation.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work history

Founder & Brand Strategy Consultant

Onstory
London
01.2015 - 08.2025
  • Founded and led a boutique agency delivering brand, digital, and content strategy for clients in entertainment, fintech, and non-profit sectors. Focused on business transformation, campaign strategy, and cross-channel activation, supported by a trusted network of 30+ senior specialists.
  • Key Clients: The BBC, The Royal Society, Island Records, Tony Robbins, Shure, Renault, The Wellcome Trust, The Science Museum, PRS for Music, Mentor UK, Global Radio
  • Key Achievements
  • Developed global digital strategy for Stenn Financial (£250M turnover), supporting revenue doubling
  • Won £100K Shure project via Field Trip partnership proposal
  • Achieved 60% cost reduction through operational efficiency and data-led optimisation
  • Set up an in-house creative hub via strategic/operational planning
  • Led digital content strategy for Katy B / Renault, reaching 7M users
  • Consulted BBC Science on concept development and relaunch strategy
  • Delivered Global Radio social campaigns at £0.01 CPV, reaching 2M+
  • In parallel: frequently engaged as a senior freelance consultant and interim business leader for top agencies including VCCP, DDB, and Red Brick Road, delivering brand transformation and high-impact campaigns across auto, tech, pharma, travel, FMCG, and finance.

Interim Managing Partner

VCCP
London
01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Drove commercial and organisational strategy to scale new flagship win; advised MD and C-suite on growth planning, senior talent acquisition, and team restructure, delivering 107% recoverability and doubling revenue within six months.
  • Secured £1M UniCredit Europe account through RFP leadership; extended to £2M over two years
  • Streamlined delivery processes, improving resource efficiency across client teams
  • Primary escalation point and strategic partner to agency leadership

Senior Business Lead

Tribal DDB
London
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Led digital client services for Volkswagen UK (Passenger and Commercial Vehicles) during a leadership transition, ensuring continuity across a multimillion-pound ecosystem
  • Provided senior counsel and commercial support during digital transformation and rescoping phases

Senior Business Lead

Virtue (Vice Media Group)
Remote
01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Oversaw global brand strategy and delivery for Harman Kardon
  • Scaled revenue pipeline for Harman Kardon from £300K to £2.8M in three months
  • Directed integrated campaigns across markets, aligning creative, media, and strategy

Senior Business Director

Havas Lynx
Remote
01.2020 - 01.2020
  • Delivered global rollout across seven markets and 60+ assets
  • Directed pharma launches (Sanofi Pasteur, UCB) and oversaw £500K COVID shoot across hybrid teams

Senior Business Director

Gravity Road and Havas Lynx
Remote
01.2020 - 01.2020
  • Led £13M global Niantic account (Pokémon Go), including the £6M “Meet You Out There” campaign

Business Director

Storm Brands
London
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Repositioned Despar Italia's master brand across 20+ markets, securing a £500K retainer from a £30K pitch
  • Developed full brand strategy (identity, tone, architecture) and secured C-suite buy-in

Senior Business Director

BBD Perfect Storm
London
01.2018 - 01.2018
  • Led £5M brand transformation for Etihad, launching a customisable brand experience to enhance personalisation and value
  • Partnered with CMO to embed a new brand platform across global channels

Senior Account Director

Rapp UK
London
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Led global digital strategy for Takeda, restoring trust and improving regulated content delivery

Senior Account Director

Red Brick Road
London
01.2017 - 01.2017
  • Led integrated campaigns for L'Oréal, La Roche-Posay and Suzuki

Client Services roles

Earlier Career Highlights
London and Milan
01.2004 - 01.2015
  • Held various roles at top global creative agencies including Euro RSCG, JWT, BETC, Landor, DDB, and Wunderman.
  • Led strategic and creative development for Sony, Nokia, Virgin Media, Barilla, Diesel, KLM, and Gucci
  • Delivered global brand strategy for Barilla and Fincantieri Yachts
  • Supported cross-market campaigns across FMCG, auto, entertainment, and luxury sectors
  • Partnered with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver award-winning campaigns and embed brand value

Education

MA - Marketing

Kingston Business School

BA - Business Communication

IULM University

Skills

  • Executive Leadership
  • Business and Revenue Growth
  • Team Development
  • Commercial Strategy
  • Business & Creative Strategy
  • Organisational & Operational Excellence
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Client Acquisition & Retention

Timeline

Interim Managing Partner

VCCP
01.2023 - 01.2024

Senior Business Lead

Tribal DDB
01.2022 - 01.2023

Senior Business Lead

Virtue (Vice Media Group)
01.2021 - 01.2022

Senior Business Director

Havas Lynx
01.2020 - 01.2020

Senior Business Director

Gravity Road and Havas Lynx
01.2020 - 01.2020

Business Director

Storm Brands
01.2019 - 01.2020

Senior Business Director

BBD Perfect Storm
01.2018 - 01.2018

Senior Account Director

Rapp UK
01.2017 - 01.2018

Senior Account Director

Red Brick Road
01.2017 - 01.2017

Founder & Brand Strategy Consultant

Onstory
01.2015 - 08.2025

Client Services roles

Earlier Career Highlights
01.2004 - 01.2015

MA - Marketing

Kingston Business School

BA - Business Communication

IULM University

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KARIMA BOUGHELAF