Thompson takes on creative director

Leeds consultancy Thompson has appointed Gary Swindell, co-founder of Scandinavian brand consultancy Mission, as its new creative director.

Swindell has been based in Oslo, Norway for the past 11 years, initially at Scandinavian Design Group. In 2001, he set up Mission in partnership with Leo Burnett Norway, becoming creative director of the consultancy and working across identity, retail, Web and motion graphics design.

Thompson founder and current creative director Ian Thompson will now focus on developing the business.

‘It’s fair to say we work in a more integrated way in Norway and I’m keen to build on this to provide a broader offer for clients,’ says Swindell. Thompson’s clients include Yorkshire Forward, the National Media Museum and global healthcare company Smith & Nephew.

‘Because Gary has not been immersed in the UK industry, he has a fresh approach. Everything is now in place for me to concentrate on taking the consultancy offer to the next level,’ says Thompson.