Emma Chadwick is taking financial director Paul Chorlton with her. Chorlton and Chadwick have both been placed on gardening leave, having informed colleagues of their intentions only last week.
Chadwick has been MD of the corporate outfit’s Manchester practice for the past four years, and has been credited with growing the agency into one of the region’s most respected.
Chadwick and Chorlton have not revealed their exact intentions, but it is widely believed that the two will remain in Manchester to launch their own PR practice.
Staniforth parent comp-any and global advertising outfit TBWA has imposed a 12-month contractual clause to deter the agency’s current clients from following Chadwick and Chorlton.
TBWA group chairman Tim Lindsey issued a statement noting that Chadwick has yet to be replaced.
‘While the company identifies a new managing director, the operation will be overseen by the existing senior management team,’ said Lindsey. Partner Mark Hanson is acting as the first point of contact while TBWA looks to replace Chadwick.
Hanson said he and his Staniforth colleagues knew little about Chadwick and Chorlton’s plans. ‘They do not have to tell us anything,’ he said. ‘They won’t be taking any clients with them. Everything is carrying on as normal.’