Sorrell and Newell to leave INS

John Sorrell and Frances Newell, founders of Newell and Sorrell – now Interbrand Newell and Sorrell – are to leave the company at the end of September.

The husband and wife duo originally set up the consultancy in 1976. They sold their shares when the group joined Interbrand in 1997, agreeing to remain with the company for at least three years.

Both plan to increase their commitment to pro bono work. They have established an educational initiative, the Sorrell Foundation, which promotes creativity in schools, while Newell is a trustee of Mencap and sits on the board of the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford. Both helped launch furniture venture Keen.

Sorrell says the departure from INS is completely amicable, and that long-term planning means there will be no upheaval. “The business is very successfully run, it doesn’t really create a question of replacing us. It’s a small adjustment,” he says.