Phil Dean, the UK MD of global design group Attik, has unexpectedly quit the agency to join Leeds-based Thompson Design.
Dean, who has been at Attik for five years, has forged a strong relationship with Thompson’s founder, Ian Thompson, and will join the agency on 3 March as MD.
Speaking about the move, Dean said, “We’ve got some pretty big plans. Ian’s going to concentrate on the creative output of the agency and I’ll be focusing on developing it as a business. The firm’s got a great reputation already and I’ll be looking at taking it on to the next level to challenge the established agencies – agencies like Attik.”
Commenting on the agency he leaves behind, Dean added, “I felt I’d done all I could and it was time to move on.” He denied any suggestion that the move followed on from recent redundancies at the firm. “That’s got nothing to do with this,” he stated. “You look at the opportunities that come along and this one, to work with Ian, was one I couldn’t resist.”
Thompson himself added, “This is part of a big plan that I’ve been hatching for a while. It’s great to get Phil on board and we’re looking forward to working together.”
James Sommerville, a founding partner of Attik, is believed to be stepping into the UK MD role.