Faith Kates & Joel Wilkenfeld

In 1989, partners Faith Kates and Joel Wilkenfeld founded Next Management, a modelling and talent agency they have since aggressively grown into a global leader. Kates began her career at Wilhelmina Models in the 1980s, where she supervised the women’s division before leaving to launch her own agency with a philosophy that prioritised targeted, high-quality representation over sheer volume.

The agency quickly expanded into key markets, including London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and Miami. Next is renowned within the industry for its “360-degree” management strategy, working with both top new faces and established fashion models with global recognition. Credited with spotting icons such as Arizona Muse, Abbey Lee, Zuzanna Bijoch and Suvi Koponen, Next continues to oversee the careers of some of the most internationally recognisable faces on runways and in editorials, including Grace Elizabeth and Binx Walton.

Under the duo’s leadership, the agency has demonstrated an innate ability to help talent build dynamic, long-lasting careers. Models such as Molly Sims, Cody Horn, Joy Bryant and Jaime King successfully transitioned from fashion to film under Next’s guidance. In recent years, the agency has intensified its focus on "Next Generation" talent with significant cultural pedigree, notably signing Henry Samuel (son of Heidi Klum and Seal) in July 2025.

The Next branding team comprises agents who specialise in special bookings for top celebrities and multi-disciplinary talent. The roster includes a diverse array of global stars such as Alexa Chung, Jessica Alba, Lana Del Rey, Rita Ora and Suki Waterhouse. A pioneer in the influencer and digital space, Next has managed a dedicated digital division since 2009, representing some of the world's most influential lifestyle personalities.

In 2011, Next expanded its lifestyle footprint by acquiring the leading chef-representation agency, TwoTwelve Management. This division manages household names including Tom Colicchio, Geoffrey Zakarian, David Burke and Michael Symon. As of 2026, Next Management remains a privately owned industry leader known for its ability to adapt to the intersection of fashion, entertainment and digital influence.