Leeds construction marketing agency completes management buyout

A West Yorkshire-based construction marketing agency has undergone a management buyout (MBO).

Directors Neil Craven and Kirsty Scott have undertaken the MBO at Leeds company Harris Creative.

Neil, formerly design director, and Kirsty, who joined the company as PR director in 2017, will each hold the position of joint managing director.

Originally agreed last year, the deal was pushed back as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent business disruption.

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Harris Creative has secured nine new clients over the past 12 months, including CMOStores.com, Axis Envelope Solutions, and CLD Fencing.

Director Neil commented: “The deal to set the MBO in motion was struck in March 2020, but with the UK then plunged immediately into the covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, our focus shifted to managing crisis communications for all our clients, working to retain clients across all departments, and then proactively seeking new business to ensure the future growth of the company.

“I’m very proud to say that we achieved all of these goals, and we’re confident and excited about the future.”

Director Kirsty added: “Harris Creative is an agency that quite rightly prides itself on its inclusive, welcoming culture, and very soon after joining the company I knew that I had landed somewhere special.

“When we first began discussing the possibility of an MBO, I was certain from the off that it was the right decision for everyone.

“I’m very proud to be leading this exceptionally talented team, and I’m sure that Neil and I will take the company to new heights in the next five years and beyond.”