Craton: an inspirational man who will be missed

It is with great regret, and immense sadness, that I write to inform you of the death of David Craton.

David founded Craton Lodge and Knight in 1972, with Don Knight and Creenagh Lodge, the latter is still chairman of Corporate Edge, CLK’s direct descendant.

CLK effectively founded the sector of specialist innovation and branding consultancies that has so burgeoned in the past 30 years.

David passionately believed that specialism combined with experience in innovation delivered better results – a belief amply borne out by CLK and its clients achieving a one in two success rate, against a market norm of one in ten.

As a man he was inspirational, as well as a breath of fresh air and integrity in the self-absorbed world of marketing services. Out of hours, his five children, smallholding in Wales and his sheep and horses were far more important than industry accolades or Ivy dinners. Marketing could do with more like him.

He will be greatly missed. Our sympathies to all his family.

Chris Wood

Chief executive

Corporate Edge

London W14