The managing and financial directors of Staniforth PR, part of TBWA\Manchester, have handed their notices in at the agency, as they get set to start up a new PR operation in the city.
Emma Chadwick, who has been at Staniforth for the past ten years, the last four as MD, starts her contractual three-month gardening leave from today. Due to this she was restricted somewhat in what she could divulge to How-Do, but did confirm her intentions and that ‘co-conspirator’ Paul Chorlton would be joining her.
“It’s very exciting,” she noted, “and I’m looking forward to it tremendously. There are other people involved, and Paul is one of them, but there won’t be anybody else coming with us from Staniforth.”
Chorlton praised Staniforth, stating that it was “a great agency”, but said that the time had come to move on. She added that, due to the nature of the business, there was “restrictive clauses” involved (concerning clients) and that she would be “adhering to those.”
She also confirmed that she would be “staying in Manchester” although declined to explain further details when quizzed about the location of the new firm, or which, if any, clients it would be setting up with. It is believed that the staff at the agency were told of Chadwick and Chorlton’s intentions on Wednesday of last week.
In a rather terse official statement, TBWA also confirmed that Chadwick would be leaving the team. In it Tim Lindsey, the UK Group Chairman said: " Staniforth's partners and I would like to thank Emma for her contribution over the past ten years.
"Staniforth is an important part of the TBWA\ group with a impressive client list that is managed by some of the best people in the business both in Manchester and in London."
The statement went on to add: “ Whilst the company identifies a new managing director, the operation will be overseen by the existing senior management team.”
Staniforth became part of the TBWA network in December 2002, after it was sold by its founder and MD Phil Staniforth. Chadwick played a key part in that transitional period, helping and overseeing the agency team as it integrated into the group network.
Staniforth is one of the biggest PR agencies within the North West and is known for its work with clients such as PZ Cussons, Marks and Spencers, Tizer, Nivea and Nissan.
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