Design is ‘core’, says Media Square boss

Design will be a fundamental part of the future of Media Square, its newly appointed chief executive Roger Parry has confirmed.

The undertaking comes in response to reports of disposals planned for Media Square’s design arm, which Parry dismisses as ‘nonsense’. The group owns Holmes & Marchant, Coutts Retail Communications and Lloyd Northover.

Speaking ahead of the findings of a strategic review, due to be revealed in November, Parry says that he is looking at how he can give greater clarity to Media Square’s raft of marketing, advertising and design businesses by considering a ‘higher level of co-operation’ between them.

‘Given the large number of business units within Media Square, there is confusion among clients, investors and the media as to what we do. The aim is to give greater clarity,’ he says.

Parry does not specify whether a ‘higher level of co-operation’ could mean consolidation within the group.

Having replaced Jeremy Middleton as chief executive this month, Parry is to meet with ailing retail consultancy CRC next week to review its place within the group. It suffered a loss of senior management earlier this year, when CRC managing director Richard Saywell left to set up his own company, taking two other directors with him.

Middleton will continue to work with Media Square on a consultancy basis until September.