C Space appoints first DEI chief

Payton, who has been with the agency for 13 years (pictured), will sit on the global executive leadership team in the new role.

Payton will report to Jessica DeVlieger, C Space’s global chief executive officer, who said Payton had been “instrumental in the progress” the company has made on DEI.

During her long-standing tenure at the agency, Payton has experience across a range of disciplines, ranging from client-side consulting to creative services, product marketing, and overseeing the development of its inclusive employer brand. 

Her appointment comes as C Space looks to amp up its DEI approach internally and externally.

In her previous role as Americas vice-president, Payton had a heavy focus on DEI, spearheading a move to drive change through DEI education and culture change, both internally and externally.

Payton was also a founding member of the agency’s DEI board in the Americas and led the company-wide, diversity-focused #WeAreHere campaign, following the murder of George Floyd. She also founded C Space’s DEI think tank, a team that aims to drive growth and change internally and externally.

Additionally, Payton has developed six employee resource groups and partnered across the business to develop proprietary DEI solutions for clients. 

DeVlieger said Payton had “elevated our work and has made measurable improvement developing DEI products and solutions to better serve our clients”.

Payton said: “I am honoured to not only have the opportunity to work alongside the executive leadership team to embed DEI throughout every facet of our business, but also to be an example for marginalised and underrepresented groups in the business that don’t always get to see themselves represented at senior levels.”