Team Profiles
Jackie de Havas
Managing Director
Jackie graduated from Bedford College, London University. Initially worked in sponsorship and sales for Radio Luxembourg before joining the Formula One Constructor's Association. Jackie founded Motor Racing Services in 1989 which set up to offer an independent, specialised sponsorship service to companies interested in utilising motorsport as a promotional and business to business platform. Jackie began by establishing a presence in Group C sports car racing, and developed commercial relationships with a number of sports car teams which included the factory Porsche Joest Racing Team, Vern Schuppan Racing, TWR, and the late Bob Wollek
In the early 1990’s Jackie achieved considerable success in becoming involved in Kia's entry to the Paris-Dakar Rally, and Securicor Omega Express entering the British Touring Car Championship. Jackie's relationship with many of the South Korean companies continued to grow, and in 1994 she took Korean Air into Formula One. Throughout the late 1990's success continued as the company grew, and developed interests in other sports; in particular introducing Computacenter to the Six Nations Rugby Championship. Formula One remained pivotal and following the Millennium Jackie introduced Hanjin Shipping to the Renault Formula One team upon Renault’s return to Formula One in 2002. Renault F1 went on in 2005 and 2006 to secure both the Formula One Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships with Hanjin Shipping as a team partner.
The creation of the Havas Agency Limited represented a natural development in 2004, and the company continues to prosper. Jackie has an extensive knowledge and understanding of Far East corporations with particular reference to South Korea and Japan. Professionally Jackie is a former member of the Department of Trade & Industry British Overseas Trade Board (Markets Group) and also the Korea Trade Action Committee.
Chris de Havas
Company Secretary, President Marketing
Chris qualified as a barrister in 1983, and thereafter remained in private practice as a practitioner on the South Eastern Circuit until 1999. As a member of the Bar, Chris' practice revolved around advocacy in the representation of his clients. Motorsport, throughout the period of Chris' period of practice, had always been of significant personal interest. An opportunity to further that interest arose when Chris was invited to join Motor Racing Services with a view to assist in the development of the company.
Since 1999 Chris' interest in the company has revolved around the representation of young drivers, and the marketing of motorsport. In relation to drivers Chris has had a management involvement with Marcos Ambrose, Anthony Davidson, Will Davison and Tom Gaymor. Chris now occupies the role of President of Marketing for the Havas Agency Limited; the company origins of which were founded in Motor Racing Services. Chris is concerned in the procurement of Formula One sponsorship partners, and has gained valuable knowledge and experience in presenting Formula One opportunities in the Far East.
Within the last three years the Havas Agency has become involved in the development of sponsorship opportunities within football, and Chris has assisted in spearheading this development. Chris was invited to speak at the 2006 Professional Motorsport World Expo in Koln (Marketing - How to Achieve Success) and at the 2006 Motorsport Business Forum in Monaco (Evolution of a Formula One sponsor).
Nickie de Havas
Partner Acquisitions
Nickie's introduction to motorsport came as a result of the Securicor Omega Express partnership program in the British Touring Car Championship as a team sponsor. From there on Nickie's marketing interest in motorsport broadened, and by 1999 Nickie became professionally involved in the procurement of partnership programmes. In 2001 Nickie secured the French corporation BIC as a partner to Anthony Davidson’s 2001 Formula Ford campaign. For 2002 Nickie assisted Danica Patrick’s management in representing her in the UK.
Nickie's specific marketing knowledge revolves around sourcing, researching and introducing potential partners to many of the leading Formula One teams. With a comprehensive knowledge of the business to business opportunities available within Formula One, Nickie always seeks to understand and address the commercial requirements of any potential Formula One partner. Nickie's approach concentrates on how a potential partner can achieve tangible business to business benefits and a return on investment through an involvement in Formula One. In more recent years Nickie has been utilising her knowledge regarding Formula One partners with regard to partner acquisitions for Premiership and Coca Cola Championship football teams.
Nickie has attended many of the major sponsorship conferences focusing on Formula One and football.