‘Pathfinders’ following a trail to The Fourth Room

Strategic marketing and branding think-tank consultancy The Fourth Room has appointed three senior marketing staff from client backgrounds.

The directors, or pathfinders as The Fourth Room prefers to call them, are former Waterstones marketing director Martin Lee, former Ernst & Young strategic marketing director William Murray and Research Business International director Richard Pike.

According to consultancy chief executive and “pacemaker” Piers Schmidt, the three recruits will head assignments for the consultancy. They will also assume new internal management responsibilities, including the appointment of new members of staff.

Schmidt says the group’s emphasis has changed. “After last year, which was about buckling down and new business development, we are able to evolve the business,” he says.

“Their addition facilitates further growth as well. We anticipate another ten appointments during the course of the year,” he says, ruling that 35 to 40 staff would be the ceiling for a UK office.

Lee is expected to head up membership activity, with Pike contributing to the consultancy’s Pro-Search initiative and Murray to its Brand Counsel unit.