Combemale joined the DMA board as a director in 2007 and served as chief executive from 2009 to 2024, before becoming director of policy and public affairs.

His involvement with the DMA began in 2002, when he led the merger of the Email Marketing Association, which he co-founded and chaired, into DMA to form the Email Council.

Combemale then chaired the Email Council for nine years. His spell on the DMA board will end in July.

During his time as chief executive at the DMA, Combemale helped create the DMA Code in 2014, oversaw the merger with the Institute of Data and Marketing in 2015, and helped lead the organisation’s response to legislation including the GDPR and the Data Use and Access Act.

Outside the DMA, Combemale has held senior positions including co-chair of the Federation of European Data and Marketing and board roles at the Committee of Advertising Practice, the Advertising Standards Board of Finance and the Advertising Association.

Other prior positions include spells at Young & Rubicam in New York, Dentsu, Young & Rubicam in Hong Kong and The Franklin Mint in London.

Rachel Aldighieri, chief executive at the DMA, said: “Chris’s impact on the DMA and the wider industry is hard to put into words. Over 24 years he has been a tireless advocate for responsible marketing, helping organisations navigate extraordinary change while ensuring the industry’s voice is heard by government and regulators.

“His leadership, friendship and incredible loyalty and commitment have strengthened the DMA’s influence, expanded its reach and positioned it as a trusted authority on the issues that matter most to our members. We are incredibly grateful for his contribution and wish him every success in his very well-deserved retirement”

Combemale added: “Leading the DMA has given me the privilege of building customer trust, championing responsible marketing and skills development, and helping businesses adapt to an ever-changing regulatory and technological landscape.

“I am proud of what we have achieved together, and confident that the DMA is exceptionally well positioned under Rachel Aldighieri to continue supporting its members and shaping the future of our industry.”