Man Bites Dog Expands Leadership Team With Two New Appointments 

Man Bites Dog has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of two new senior executives.  

Kathleen Smith joins as Chief Operating Officer, and Gary Haines has been appointed Finance Director. Together, they bring unrivalled expertise to support the consultancy’s next phase of development.  

Man Bites Dog’s Founder & CEO, Claire Mason said: “The expansion of Man Bites Dog’s leadership team with these two strategic appointments marks a pivotal moment as we enter the third decade of our growth journey and our mission to build intelligent brands at the convergence of knowledge and technology.” 

Kathleen Smith: Chief Operating Officer 

Kathleen Smith brings over three decades of commercial experience to her role at Man Bites Dog. With a career dedicated to optimising business culture, structure and performance, she has held COO positions at a range of high-growth organisations – driving profitability, streamlining operations and boosting employee engagement. Her expertise in leadership development, digital transformation and operational design will be instrumental in executing Man Bites Dog’s growth strategy.  

Speaking of her appointment, Kathleen said: “I’m delighted to join Man Bites Dog at such a pivotal moment in its journey. With two decades of award-winning thought leadership behind it and exciting growth ahead, my focus is on ensuring the consultancy is both scalable and sustainable.  

“By streamlining data management, embedding smart systems architecture, and fostering a culture of clear, consistent communication, we will lay the foundations for long-term impact – for our clients, our people, and the future of the business.” 

Gary Haines: Finance Director 

A fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Gary Haines brings over two decades of commercial and financial experience to his position at Man Bites Dog. His career spans consultancies, professional services firms, and higher education institutions. Prior to joining Man Bites Dog, Gary led the finance team of a London-based digital agency through the company’s growth, sale and flotation on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). 

Gary said: “I’m excited to help shape the financial strategy that will support Man Bites Dog’s next chapter of growth. My goal is to build a finance function that not only supports the consultancy’s commercial goals but plays a proactive role in unlocking new opportunities – through smarter processes, scalable systems, and sharper financial insight.”