As chief marketing officer at RHR, Chris Penny leads the firm’s global marketing strategy—overseeing brand development, marketing, PR, events, and advertising. With more than 30 years of experience spanning in-house leadership roles and agency-side consulting, Chris has worked across industries including pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer goods, retail, financial services, automotive, insurance, and manufacturing.
Chris takes an empathetic, customer-centric approach to marketing— listening intently to understand audience needs and crafting strategies that resonate both rationally and emotionally. His expertise in digital marketing and brand strategy has helped businesses build meaningful connections with their clients and foster long-term trust, authenticity, and shared values. Having worked extensively across the U.S., UK, Europe, and the Middle East, Chris is highly skilled in developing global brand and digital strategies that engage and inspire many audiences.
Born in Boston and raised in England, Chris holds dual U.S. and UK citizenship and earned a bachelor of arts with honours in marketing and finance from Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, Scotland. After spending several years in San Francisco, he recently moved back to the UK and is enjoying the challenge of renovating an old cottage in the Cotswolds.
Focus Areas
- Global brand strategy and development
- Digital marketing and customer engagement
- PR, events, and advertising strategy
- Multi-industry marketing expertise
- Cross-cultural marketing and international expansion
Special Skills
- Digital marketing strategy
- Brand positioning and storytelling
- Customer experience and engagement
Education
- Bachelor of arts with honours in marketing and finance, Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow, Scotland
Leadership philosophy
Great leadership is about balancing strategy with intuition by empowering teams and fostering creativity while staying laser focused on delivering meaningful, measurable results.
Passions
Chris enjoys outdoor adventures, culinary exploration, and supporting Chelsea Football Club. Most recently, he has embraced the joys (and challenges) of restoring a historic cottage in the Cotswolds.