It is with great pleasure and anticipation we can announce Nick Godbehere as the new Managing Director of Hitch from 1st December, to navigate Hitch onwards and upwards, with partners, to change the world for the better.
Nick joined Hitch in the early days as a research associate, following a long and successful international research career with organisations and brands in the commercial and public sector. During his ten years at Hitch, he has headed up all research and behaviour change activities across the UK and sectors from designing rail services for Arriva UK Trains, and testing sustainable packaging solutions for Unilever and charity brands, to redesigning integrated care services and codesigning and evaluating a wide range of social change campaigns and programmes.
Part of the senior leadership team over the past five years, Nick will now lead Hitch on its next chapter as a leading UK social behaviour change marketing consultancy, working on system, cultural and social change challenges, whilst developing long-term community-based, academic, and field partnerships and collaborations.
Outgoing Managing Director, Gary Wootten, who founded Hitch in 2011, will remain engaged with Hitch to support Nick and the Senior Leadership Team to realise their ambitions. He will also focus his attention on developing programmes for Hitched Communities, a charity that is partially funded and resourced by the Hitch Fund (a community fund created by Hitch) to design, pilot, evaluate and scale social innovation to benefit vulnerable groups.
Gary said “It has been a true adventure. First setting up Hitch to realise the ambitions of commissioners and providers using social marketing techniques, I am so pleased to see the company continue its adventure under the leadership of Nick. To see Hitch grow, and pivot, over the past 12 years, whilst working with incredible people, has brought experiences and memories that go far beyond my hopes and expectations. Hitch really is a gem, and I am delighted to hand over the reins whilst continuing to do my best to support the team moving forwards. Onwards and upwards.
Nick said “It’s been an exciting and varied 10 years at Hitch. Starting in a tiny office just big enough for three people, through to negotiating the Covid years. In that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working for some amazing clients and with some fantastic team members. We are currently facing challenging times in the industry and the economy, and my goal is to keep Hitch moving forward, keep doing amazing work, and keep learning and growing as individuals and as a team. Onwards into the next 10 years!”.