News and Insights
FINN Partners bolsters Consumer & Lifestyle practice leadership team
September 16, 2026
Creative and strategic communications veteran Katreena Dare appointed as Partner, joining practice lead and Senior Partner Gregory Cole
Global independent marketing and communications firm, FINN Partners has today announced its new Consumer & Lifestyle leadership in the UK, signalling bold ambition for market expansion and creative distinction.
Having joined FINN Partners in 2023 to establish FINN Luxe, the firm’s cross-practice offering for premium and luxury brands, Gregory Cole was named the new head of the Consumer & Lifestyle practice earlier this summer.
Photo: Gregory Cole, Katreena Dare and Chantal Bowman-Boyles
Joining forces with Gregory is senior strategic hire Katreena Dare, who joins the team as Partner as of September. A veteran of the industry with 18 years’ experience, she has led integrated strategy across top global agencies including Ogilvy, Ketchum, and Taylor Herring. Katreena has built strategies for brands such as Samsung, Procter & Gamble, Google, The Coca-Cola Company and Bacardi and has led award-winning, culturally disruptive campaigns for likes of Ribena, Butlin’s, Sky, Mayor of London and ActionAid.
At FINN Partners, Katreena will lead client relationships, drive new business, and elevate the practice’s strategic output through AI-enabled innovation, cultural intelligence, and earned-first campaign strategy. A dedicated industry mentor, she is also a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion, actively supporting organisations including People Like Us, Break The Silence and the Taylor Bennett Foundation.
Gregory Cole cements his role as a leader in Consumer & Lifestyle having started his career as Head of Lifestyle at Ruder Finn Hong Kong. Later co-founding boutique agency éCLAIR, Gregory has delivered high-impact consumer, corporate, and digital communications mandates for category-leading brands including Macy’s, Kering, L’Oréal, MICHELIN Guide, Bentley, Breitling, and MAC Cosmetics. Since joining FINN Partners, he has strengthened the firm’s credentials in luxury and lifestyle communications with client wins including Pan Pacific London, Clinique La Prairie, and The Luxurist. A Swiss-British national, Gregory is fluent in French, Italian, and Mandarin, and serves on the Committee of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce.
The Practice will continue to be overseen by FINN Partners’ Managing Partner for EMEA, Chantal Bowman-Boyles, who commented: “The Consumer & Lifestyle team has built impressive momentum, and establishing this senior leadership team marks a pivotal next chapter for FINN Partners in Europe. Gregory’s proven track record in elevating our lifestyle footprint, paired with Katreena’s deep expertise in earned strategy and creative innovation, gives us an exceptional edge as we continue to expand the practice across the region.”
“Kat brings an outstanding track record, but what really sets her apart is her relentless curiosity, creative energy, and deep passion for communications” said Gregory Cole, Senior Partner. “She completely aligns with the ambition we have laid out, and her emphasis on diversity and leading with kindness makes her a natural fit for FINN. I’m thrilled to welcome her as Partner as we shape this next phase together.”
“What drew me to FINN Partners is the rare combination of bold ambition and a genuinely supportive, human-first culture,” added Katreena Dare, Partner. “Teaming up with Greg to lead the practice is more than an opportunity; it’s the chance to show the industry how people-centric cultures can drive growth. I’m looking forward to jumping in, backing our talent, and driving bold, earned-first strategy for our clients.”
The expanded leadership team takes the reins of a growing practice representing an expansive UK client portfolio spanning retail, F&B, beauty, travel, gaming, and lifestyle – including The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, El Corte Inglés, JD Williams, Jacamo, LYMA, Hobbycraft, Ladbrokes, 2K Games and more.