Speaking to How-Do on Friday afternoon, Foggett’s motivation behind realigning the senior management team at Code appeared obvious – he was just about to head off for a two-week holiday in Thailand, leaving the agency completely in someone else’s hands for the first time in a very long time.

“I think this is the only proper holiday I’ve had in ten years,” he laughed, before joking (or half-joking at any rate) about a future that promises a lot of golf, cigars and long liquid lunches.

“It’s going to be tough.”

Foggett was, of course, pulling How-Do’s leg.

He doesn’t smoke.

Alongside that he says his move up to CEO is more about ‘freeing his head up’ and allowing him the space and time to plan “the where next, rather than dealing with the right now.”

New MD Davenport

Davenport is moving up from the role of client services director to take on the mantle of MD.

He will be supported by a new tier of senior management that will be made up of finance director John Abbott, planning and media director Chris Hegg, development director Ste Brennan, delivery management director Mark Sharp and recently recruited executive creative director Wes Hogg.

Foggett’s fellow co-founders Louis Georgiou and Wini Tse will continue to oversee their respective areas of operations and creative.

“It’s a structure that will allow them to drive the agency forward and myself to help steer that,” he said.

“And there’s no big shocker with regard to Andrew taking over as MD. He’s been my right hand man for a couple of years now and has played a huge role in the ongoing success of Code. He’s the right man for the job.”

Foggett himself will be using some of his ‘free headed’ time to devote his energies to working with the region’s universities to develop their digital courses – a pet love/hate of his – and, if all goes according to plan, to working with Northwest Vision and Media.

New recruit Hogg

“Now I’ve applied for one of the board positions, and I’ve had my interview, so we’ll see how that goes.”

In terms of Code itself, Foggett says the agency is enjoying an average of 25% year on year growth (2008 turnover reached in excess of £4.7m) and he is “feeling good” about 2009.

“I think everyone would have to say that, facing the current economic situation, digital is definitely the sector to be in.”

He continued: “It’s undoubtedly going to be a crazy year, and no one really knows what is coming next, but digital is the strong growth medium against this background and it provides real value.

“If anything I think it’ll come out the other side of this stronger than ever.”

Foggett concluded that January had “been good” for the firm and February was “looking great”… but he may have been referring to his holiday plans.

Code currently works with a client list that includes Crown Paints, PZ Cussons, Matalan, Butlins, HMV, Brother, NUS and NWDA.

www.codecomputerlove.com

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Comments (4)

1  By Simon Wharton , on 09-02-2009 09:45 A very good company that will continue to grow whatever the climate and will continue to push out excellent work. The standards they achieve are grreat for the region Report

3  By Simon Wharton , on 10-02-2009 13:18 Got to burst your bubble, Bubble Burster. In any sector there are businesses that fail but, in general, the digital sector is doing OK. Last month was our busiest month ever for new business and I know I'm not alone in my optimism. Report

4  By Simon Wharton , on 10-02-2009 14:35 More by luck than by judgement, I came across some research by Forrester courtesy of @craigmcginty   http://www.paidcontent.co.uk/entry/419-recession-will-accelerate-shift-to-online-advertising-analysts/ Report