Zappia & Zappia to dissolve merger

Zappia & Zappia director Mark Levell is to leave the group to start a separate consultancy, following redundancies at the West Midlands consultancy late last year.

His previous consultancy, Levell Associates, was bought by Zappia & Zappia in July 1996. The union was seen to be in trouble earlier this month, when sources close to the consultancy said the deal to acquire Levell Associates had weakened Zappia & Zappia’s market position (DW 9 January).

“It became clear that it was going to be difficult to fully integrate the two organisations, and recent discussions have led us to believe that we are both stronger operating as independent, auto-nomous businesses,” says director Nino Zappia.

He cites a difference in company culture, clients and direction as the reason for the split. Zappia says the split is amicable and that the groups will continue to pool resources and personnel on specific projects as necessary. Partner Julijana Zappia says Zappia & Zappia has won a number of new clients this year.

Levell will officially leave Zappia & Zappia on 1 February. He was unavailable for comment as Design Week went to press.