Good Relations rejigs board as Dunleavy takes wider Chime role

Dunleavy, who has been at the helm of the agency for five years, is taking up a business development role at Chime, reporting to group chief executive Chris Satterthwaite.

Following Dunleavy’s departure, Richard Moss has been promoted from director to MD of Good Relations Consumer and Business Brands, although the agency’s name is expected to change.

Dunleavy said of the move: ‘We’ve been on an incredible journey over the past five years, but I leave the business in great shape with amazing talent and brilliant clients. My new role at Chime is a hugely exciting opportunity.’

The move forms part of a restructuring of the management board of the wider Good Relations Group.

Kevin Murray will continue as chairman of the Good Relations Group, Chime’s PR division created after the MBO of the Bell Pottinger business into Bell Pottinger Private in July. He will be joined on the board by Chris Warham, formerly MD of Good Relations North, who becomes chief operating officer.

Meanwhile, Pete Digger, currently working in UK government affairs for AstraZeneca, has been appointed as MD of Good Relations Political, effective from 1 November.

Murray commented: ‘We are rapidly developing a business focused on helping clients build trusted brands. This board will drive rapid growth and excellent client service. This is an extraordinary array of talent to be able bring to what I see as a grown up start up, and I look forward to working with them all.’

Other board-level appointments include Zoe Ensor, promoted from director of Good Relations North to MD of Good Relations Regional; Mark Choueke, the former editor of Marketing Week, who becomes new-business director; and Simon Jones as client services director.

Robin Hamilton, MD of inEvidence, Louie St Claire, MD of Harvard and Karin Laljani, MD of Corporate Citizenship, also join the board alongside Amelia Torode, Chime’s head of digital and innovation, Mark Lyne, finance director, and Nick Taylor, Chime’s commercial director.

The group revealed in August that its PR division has seen sales rise by 18 per cent and profit up by 244 per cent over the first six months of the year. Clients include Weetabix, Compare the Market, Airbus and TalkTalk.

This article was first published on prweek.com