R/GA appoints Urvashi Shivdasani as Global CFO—the first C-suite hire since the agency regained its private ownership. With more than 20 years of diverse financial experience across various sectors, Shivdasani will work closely with CEO Robin Forbes and the senior leadership team. Her focus will be on refining the agency’s financial framework, driving operational efficiency, and overseeing the rollout of a modern, output-based commercial model that reflects the evolving demands of today’s agency landscape.
This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for R/GA, which recently transitioned back to private ownership through a partnership with Truelink Capital. The shift is also reflective of broader changes within the advertising industry, where legacy billing systems are becoming obsolete amid increasing automation, artificial intelligence, and client demand for performance-based results. In her new position, Shivdasani will manage R/GA’s $50 million Innovation Fund, underscoring the agency’s strong push toward tech and creative ventures.
Robin Forbes emphasized that Shivdasani’s strong financial background and strategic mindset will be crucial in steering the company through its next phase. Her proven ability to deliver financial growth and streamline operations is expected to complement R/GA’s drive to redefine value in the agency space.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Shivdasani said she is excited to join R/GA during a transformative period. She cited R/GA’s innovation-driven approach and forward-thinking vision as key reasons for joining the company. She looks forward to working with the leadership team to build a financially resilient and creatively vibrant organization.
Previously, Shivdasani held the role of global CFO at Huge, where she managed finance, commercial operations, IT, and resource planning, playing a major role in the company’s private equity acquisition. She earlier served in top financial leadership roles at Discovery Communications and Ralph Lauren. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Delhi and earned her MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel Hill.
