Identica adopts four new staff from Cato

The Identica Partnership has revealed that it approached and recruited a four-strong team from Cato Consulting, including directors Tim Barson and Richard Tilley.

Barson and Tilley joined in the New Year, along with senior designer Brigitte Halliday and senior account manager Sarah Codrington. Identica’s managing partner Michael Peters says the moves were not announced at the time “because there were some issues [Barson and Tilley] had to sort out at Cato”.

Peters describes the new recruits as “one of the most talented teams in London”. He says he has long admired Tilley and rates him as one of the best designers in the country.

Peters says the new arrivals will continue to operate as a team: “It is in effect a new division of the business and will help us grow the company.” Identica’s staff now totals 48 after just four years of trading.

Cato Consulting has promoted four staff members to director level – Emma Fric, David James, Catherine Geraghty and Merryl Catlow. It is believed that Cato has just recruited some staff but details are under wraps. Chairman Mac Cato is unavailable to comment.