Krichefski (pictured) was chosen following a three-month selection process and will now face an election at the IPA annual general meeting (AGM) on 23rd March 2023 to replace Douglas, who came to the end of his term in office.

The new president will take over officially at a short special council meeting, which will follow on directly from the quarterly council meeting and AGM.

Krichefski was chosen following a formal three-month selection process led by former president Nigel Vaz, chief executive at Publicis Sapient, who headed up the presidential nominating committee.

At EssenceMediacom, Krichefski oversees the agency’s global client practice, with hubs in New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, Dusseldorf and Singapore, as well as the agency’s marketing function.

Krichefski is also a trustee of The Talent Foundry and is on the board of the MS Society.

Vaz said: “I could not be more delighted that Josh has agreed to take on this role. He is the perfect person to lead our industry as we start the second quarter of 2023.

“Josh’s energy and passion for our business will be invaluable in helping us all make the most of the opportunities that next year will inevitably bring.”

Paul Bainsfair, director general at the IPA, said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Josh to ensure the IPA remains the power behind the practitioners.

“He is already a member of IPA Council and his pioneering work on good mental health – People First Better Results – is well known to me and is seen as a blueprint for other agencies to follow. I can’t think of anyone better to help us focus on what is important over the next two years.”

Krichefski added: “I look forward to building on the outstanding work of my predecessors in championing our industry, its creativity and its impact in the world.

“We are living through an extraordinarily disruptive period which is reshaping the economic, social and natural environment. How we continue to adapt as an industry is absolutely crucial as to how we, and our clients, will survive and prosper in the years ahead.”