After a six month absence from the marketing scene, Alistair Sim, for years synonymous with LOVE Creative, has announced he’s about to join The Chase in a business development role. Prior to flying off to Rome for some inextricable reason, Sim agreed to speak to How-Do about what he’d like to happen in his life – and what has actually happened so far.
Sim has had his fair share of the headlines over the years, but no one would disagree that the coverage he garnered in November 2008 following a well publicised court appearance would take some living down. Sim was, in fact, found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his partner, and received a four month suspended sentence. It’s an understatement to say that the North West’s media community was stunned by the news as it emerged. Schadenfreude anyone?...
As Sim now prepares to re-enter the scene with a board position at The Chase, he spoke this bank holiday week-end exclusively to How-Do.
How-Do: The announcement that you’re to join The Chase will surprise many people. It was widely rumoured that you were ‘taking time out’ of LOVE while the dust settled?
Sim: Well, there have been all sorts of rumours over recent months, so I’m not surprised to hear that one. The truth is that I desperately needed time to re-build my family relationships, and that was where my priorities lay at that juncture.
As far as going back, well it was never an easy decision, and things change. Part of you says ‘never go back’ while another part says it’s the easiest option.
Ultimately I knew that I was at a turning point in my life and, that being the case, a fresh challenge was the only way to go when I had sorted myself out. I couldn’t be more pleased, or excited, that The Chase is where that next opportunity has presented itself.
So you joining The Chase is less a case of you starting anew than Hasgrove using you as a Trojan horse to continue its acquisition trail?
I’d sincerely hope not! I’m going to The Chase to help take the business forward, organically, via an enhanced digital offer and new business growth. I’ve known, and admired, Ben Casey for many years, and part of the rationale for me joining the board is to help The Chase continue that success story. That’s a hell of an opportunity in anybody’s language, and one I’ve earned, I hope, on my agency track record.
Yes - I anticipate some will suggest LOVE will be part of The Chase in two months, but that rather overlooks the fact that I’m a minority shareholder, so couldn’t effect a sale even if I wanted to. That decision would be down to the majority shareholders.
But you’re now going to be taking on LOVE in a competitive sense, which as a shareholder is rather perverse isn’t it?
Well, I wouldn’t say ‘perverse’! ‘Unusual’ maybe! I think there’s a lot of competition out there in the creative and digital field, not just LOVE and The Chase. The current economic conditions have made competition even tougher, but that’s when the better companies, in my view, are more able to prove their worth - when clients are being at their most assiduous in determining who can do the best job for them.
So if, and this may happen, The Chase comes up against LOVE, of course I’ll want The Chase to come up trumps. And the rest of the time, I’ll be rooting for LOVE!
Culturally, how do you anticipate the switch from LOVE to The Chase? Whilst undoubtedly both are top agencies, their styles differ?
Well yes, and vive la difference. I’m not going to The Chase to turn it into LOVE, and it would be misguided of me to even think I could. My role is to help ensure that The Chase keeps ahead of the curve, creates new revenue streams, and expands internationally as well as nationally. That’s what I’ve done before, and that’s what I can bring to The Chase.
All successful businesses look to constantly evolve, and the creative approach of The Chase, inspired by Ben and the rest of the team, is one I deeply respect and admire. But certainly, I’ll help influence where that goes next. Change is a powerful, and positive, force – as I know only too well.
The Chase is part of the Hasgrove Group. How do you anticipate working for a listed group of companies rather than a privately- owned one where you could call most of the shots?
Good question. And one I’ve discussed with Ben in detail, because many people were perhaps surprised when Hasgrove acquired The Chase in the first place.
My view on this is that there is a finite limit to what owner managed businesses can achieve – they ultimately hit a ceiling. At that point, a wider network and infrastructure, not to mention investment, is required to propel growth.
The Chase employs 40 plus people, and is turning over in the region of £4m a year. For an owner managed business that very probably would be the peak. I’m going to The Chase knowing it’s our benchmark. I’m going to The Chase knowing that they’re ambitious to achieve much more. It’s a daunting, and at the same time, really attractive proposition – that’s what we’re in business for and I can’t wait to get started.
I have to be realistic. There will always be a stigma attached to my personal actions. Some people will never forget it, and some people will never forgive it. It’s something I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life. Google will make sure of that.
But it did happen, it was my fault, and I’ll be ashamed and humiliated about it until the day I die. It was a moment of madness, and I’d like to say, out of character, but it was the climax to a series of events in my personal life that shouldn’t have reached that conclusion. I blame no one but myself, and that's why the past six months have been so important – trying to re-build my family life.
Do you think you were treated fairly in the courts and in the media at the time of the case?
Well, yes. What can I say? As far as the courts were concerned, I pleaded guilty to the charge, so could have no complaints there. I shouldn’t have put myself in that position. Some people said I should have denied the charges and played it out, but I think I would have only been lying to myself.
As far as the media coverage was concerned, yes it was painful, but as someone who’s had plenty of positive headlines in the past, there was a certain irony to it. No, it was grim, but I can’t object. I’ve just got to move on, and hope that others can too.
In your time out, what sort of contact have you had with the industry as a whole?
Many people were exceptionally supportive, which was humbling, but also a great help.
Someone called it my ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’ moment – where a successful businessman’s life tumbles into the abyss following one momentary life changing error. Well, I’ve not got round to reading it yet, but that sounds about right.
Nobody, including myself, can ever condone what happened, but it’s where I go from here that’s the important thing. I’ve made a massive mistake, paid a heavy price for it and offer no defence, other than to say I hope people won’t keep punishing me over and over again for the same moment of madness.
One thing I do believe is that I’ll be a better person in the future for this experience.
On a very personal front, how are your family relationships six months on?
Better. Louise, my ex-partner, and I remain on positive speaking terms, and we ensure that our three children Joel, Isabella and Ellie continue to be loved and looked after with us all sharing family days out and regular meals together. It’s important, and it feels like it’s getting back to some semblance of ‘normality’.
Many relationships hit the rocks; not all have the outcome ours did, but we’re putting it behind us and getting on with our lives I’m glad to say.
Finally, what’s made you agree to this interview, when you’ve avoided speaking to the media since last year?
I could have refused to do an interview – it would have been more comfortable not to do one – but I know I have to be held to account by my peers as well as the court.
It’s obviously been a very painful period for me and the family, but a period that I want to draw a line under as I embark on the next phase of my career. So, I’ve gone on the record, not to defend my actions, but to explain as best I could.
And, in doing so, to help bring some closure to the impact of these events, and move on - he Chase, I hope, will be the start of that next chapter.
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