John Gellett has been appointed as the new group chief executive. Gellett was previously managing director of Ovation London. ITV’s managing director Rupert Howell joins as non-executive chairman and Matthew Hooper, a director at Afinium, joins as non-executive director.
Hutton Collins bought an initial stake in the business five years ago, which comprises of integrated agency Billington Cartmell; live media and experiential agency Closer; and creative agency Brave.
In a joint statement, Billington and Cartmell said: "We are very proud of what we have built: a market-leading integrated communications group with real core strengths in advertising, direct, digital, shopper and experiential marketing, that generates more than £16m in gross income. We are indebted to our clients who have been truly loyal and supportive over the years.
"It has been inspiring to witness the development of such a talented team of gifted marketing practitioners, and we’re confident they will lead this agency on to even greater success."
Gellett said: "Billington Cartmell is a successful agency with a good reputation, great clients and many excellent people. The opportunity now is to build on the foundations laid by Ian and Paul and create an integrated agency group that fully embraces the new media and digital revolution."
Howell added: "I have seen the marcoms sector from the agency, client and media owner perspective and share Hutton Collins's conviction that there is an opportunity to build a new type of independent communications group based around the skills that Billington Cartmell has in abundance."
All other key staff members will remain in their existing roles within the group.
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