Ludgate Communications has promoted Robin Hepburn, head of its City
division, to chief executive. He replaces David Simpson who moves to the
new post of deputy chairman. The move enables Simpson to devote more
time to client handling, business strategy and training.
As part of the restructuring Ludgate’s managing director Tony Friend
leaves the agency to join College Hill where he will be a director. The
post of managing director at Ludgate will be discontinued.
Simpson said: ’These moves represent a natural and very positive
evolution for Ludgate and give me the opportunity to concentrate on
areas of increasing strategic importance.’
Hepburn joined Ludgate in 1996 from Shandwick Consultants. Prior to this
he worked at Dewe Rogerson, having spent nine years in banking and
investor relations. Key accounts he has managed include the Northern
Rock and Newsquest flotations.
Hepburn said: ’Management is an element of the business I enjoy. Ludgate
has a lot of potential and will be aiming to attract larger and more
profitable business.’
Hepburn’s replacement as head of City division is Reg Hoare, Ludgate’s
current head of investor relations. Ludgate will attempt to refocus its
approach toward attracting a higher proportion of merger and acquisition
work.
Ludgate is the UK’s tenth largest PR agency (PR Week Top 150) with fee
income of pounds 6.5 million for 1996; an increase of 24 per cent on
1995.
