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Five of the leading figures in SP have formed a company offering

financial support and advice to start-ups and independents seeking to

grow.

John Hooper CBE, Clive Mishon, Colin Lloyd, Chris Parry and Mark Sheard

have formed Mentor Marketing & Investment (MMI) with support from

private funding and backing from accountant Willott Kingston Smith. MMI

will offer business advice as well as capital to marketing services

firms across all sectors in which the five have been actively

involved.

"Our aim is to encourage and inspire the management of those companies

that we believe are the growing forces for the future and that want to

benefit from our experience and resources," said MMI chairman

Hooper.

Parry commented: "We don't rule out other like-minded individuals

joining MMI, and we will be seeking investment from other quarters as

our portfolio of interests start to build."

He added that the company aims to float "within the next 24 months".

MMI's chief executive Clive Mishon said the company was in discussion

with individuals looking to start up, as well as agencies seeking to

step up their offerings.

The five set up Clarke Hooper, Marketing Drive, KLP, FCA! and Stretch

The Horizon respectively, all now owned by larger groups.