Tess became chief executive of Thinkbox in July 2006, helping brands use TV successfully, by providing information, insight, ideas and inspiration.

Prior to this she was chairman of the PHD Group UK, leading the team which helped PHD win three Agency of The Year accolades in 2005.

After an English degree from Durham and a post-graduate year studying drama, she started in TV sales by accident at ATV. After working at various TV companies over 13 years, she ended up as ITV sales director before joining PHD.

Her love of TV and belief in its importance, both culturally and commercially, has shaped her career, building constructive relationships between telly and brands.

She is a past president of WACL, a Fellow of the Marketing Society, a member of MGGB and sits on the CAP General Media Panel for the Advertising Standards Authority. She sits on the DfEs's Creative and Cultural Skills Council, is on the board of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival, a Fellow of the Royal Television Society and a member of Bafta.