She takes on the role of CEO from former managing director Gordon Lott, who leaves HS&E UK to pursue an entrepreneurial project in sustainability.
Okunniwa joins from MEC Access UK, where she held the role of managing director, tripling the size of the division and working with clients including Danone, Wrigley, Specsavers, Morrisons, and Sony Ericsson on their sports and entertainment campaigns.
At HS&E she will be responsible for overseeing daily business operations, client and partner relationships, strategy, and new business development.
She will lead a team of 30 sports and entertainment professionals who work with leading brands including The Coca-Cola Company, The Football Association, The Lawn Tennis Association, Sport England, AEG and Yahoo!.
She will report into Lucien Boyer, president and global CEO of HS&E, as well as Dominique Delport, chairman of Havas Media UK, and global managing director of Havas Media Group (HMG).
She will also join HMG UK’s executive committee, led by Paul Frampton, CEO of Havas Media UK, and Pedro Avery, CEO of Arena UK.
Before going agency-side, Okunniwa had a successful career at the BBC as head of marketing for BBC Sport and head of digital marketing, as well as other marketing roles for Radio 3, Radio 2, and BBC TV.
Lucien Boyer, president and global CEO of HS&E, said: "Tove’s deep knowledge of sports and entertainment, combined with her extensive experience in digital, TV and radio channels, will build on and take our insights-led and integrated vision to the next level, making her the perfect choice to propel our agency forward.
"Tove joins at a period of great growth for our UK agency, led by a talented leadership team, which has successfully delivered a variety of exciting projects, including the London stop of the FIFA World Cup trophy tour for The Coca-Cola Company.
Okunniwa added: "Joining a team of real talent in the UK and leading it in the next phase of its development is an exciting and challenging prospect. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and look forward to playing my part in taking HS&E UK to the next level."
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