Carthy, who joined the agency in 2000, takes over from Nick Gutfreund, who leaves after two years in the managing director's seat. Gutfreund, who took over from Alan McCulloch, joined i-Level in January 2001 and is leaving to pursue a new career in furniture design and cabinet-making.
Charlie Dobres, chief executive of i-level, said: "Nick has brought huge commitment and drive to i-level and we are grateful for his influence and management over the past two-and-a-half years. We wish him well in his new adventure. Faith brings unparalleled credentials as a media practitioner and accomplished cross-media experience to the role. We know she will contribute to driving i-level’s vision forward."
Carthy has held several jobs in her time at i-Level, including head of buying and deputy managing director. Prior to joining i-Level she was business development director at IPC Solutions and before that spent six years at Zenith Media, leaving as a group director. She began her career at Haymarket publishing, working across a number of consumer titles as ad manager.
"I am delighted to be given this chance to take on this role. i-level is at a very exciting point in its development within a dynamic and flourishing sector. I’m looking forward to the challenge of building on the work that Nick has done," said Carthy.
The departure of Gutfreund is an amicable one and he leaves after having managed the firm through a period of growth against the background of industry downturn.
Gutfreund is a former ad man, having worked at Lowe Howard-Spink, where he worked with Dobres, as well as Bates and Publicis.
"I am leaving to follow a life-long ambition to be creative rather than simply talk about someone else’s creativity. I suppose I am finally putting my money where my mouth is," said Gutfreund.
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