Global design agency, Equator, has appointed Rachel Johnson as the company’s new Global Managing Director (MD). She will have responsibility for all the company’s studios worldwide, including Chicago, Cincinnati, Manchester, Nottingham, Sydney as well as new locations due to join the network in 2023, along with a goal of delivering ambitious growth.

Equator is part of SGK. Johnson takes on the role of MD at Equator with an 18-year track record under her belt. Having begun her career at SGK-owned production agency, Schawk in 2004, she has risen through the ranks to become commercial vice president of SGK in 2020, before taking the reins at Equator.

Johnson spent more than a decade at SGK creative agency, Anthem Worldwide, with responsibility across client service, strategy and managing the creative team.

“I am excited to lean back into the creative space and work with a team who, across the Equator network, are amongst the most talented in the design sector,” explained Johnson. “My predecessors – including Gary Flynn, who established the business and has recently held the interim role, and Matt Caldwell who was instrumental in Equator’s recent growth – have nurtured an industry-leading collaborative creative environment.”