DEPT® Appoints David Neal as Chief Financial Officer

Global digital agency DEPT® has appointed David Neal as its new global chief financial officer (CFO). In this role, Neal will bring together the global finance and operations team, driving innovation and streamlining processes by positioning finance as a strategic partner to the business. 

“During my conversations with the leadership team and colleagues, I was invigorated by the energy and ambition within DEPT®,” said David. “I realised this is a place where we can do things differently. I hope to transform finance into a true strategic partner, providing insights, analysis, and driving commercial growth.”

David brings substantial experience as a chief financial officer, with a proven track record in the marketing and advertising sectors across South and Southeast Asia and global leadership positions. Most recently, he served as the global CFO for Dentsu Creative and Dentsu's production unit, Tag. 

In his new role, David will be based in London. He will leverage his extensive background to redefine the finance department as a strategic ally within DEPT®, enhancing collaboration with other business units - especially operations, and people and culture. David will harness the potential of AI to transform financial processes, fostering a culture of relentless curiosity and innovation. 

“At DEPT®, we’re all about keeping innovation at the core of everything we do. By bringing our finance and operations teams closer together, we are merging two key business areas to drive strategic growth. David will help us unlock new opportunities and ensure that innovation remains at the heart of everything we do”, says Dimi Albers, global CEO, DEPT®. 

David is stepping into the role as Mickey Kalifa moves on after two years with the company. 

“Mickey has been instrumental in creating a more integrated and connected finance team, but his contributions go far beyond the numbers. He’s been an invaluable part of DEPT®, leaving a lasting mark on our culture and everyone he’s worked with. We’re deeply grateful for all he’s done and wish him great success in his next chapter,” shared Dimi Albers.

In the past two years, the company has welcomed seven agencies and achieved remarkable growth, with revenues increasing by over 200%. This impressive performance is heavily supported by its AI services; currently, 50% of its global revenue is AI-enabled. DEPT® continues to set industry standards as a B-Corp-certified agency, earning accolades such as The Webby Awards and The Lovie Awards’ Agency and Network of the Year, Campaign US Digital Innovation Agency of the Year, and Digiday’s EMEA Agency of the Year.