Baxter Hobbins Sides splitting

Matthew Baxter, one of the founders of on-screen graphics group Baxter Hobbins Sides, has resigned from the consultancy.

Baxter, who was unavailable for comment as Design Week went to press, has left to pursue a separate career, according to producer Julie Brooks-Hill.

The consultancy, which has recently moved offices, will continue trading as before and is now known as Hobbins Sides.

Baxter left the BBC’s design department along with designers Mark Hobbins and Andrew Sides to set up shop together nine years ago (DW 4 November 1988).

Sides says of the split: “It’s a neutral separation, not with any bad feeling. There were a number of issues [for the consultancy, such as moving premises] which were a test of commitment, and Matthew perhaps felt he could not continue in this context.”

Sides says he is unsure of Baxter’s plans but adds: “As far as we are aware he’s not joining any direct competitor.”

Hobbins Sides does not regard the split as wholly negative, Sides adds: “These things are always an opportunity to be seized rather than something to be mourned over or recoiled from.”

Baxter Hobbins Sides was responsible for on-screen identities for Meridian, UK Living, and more recently Challenge TV, formerly the Family Channel.