Brewer lands Blue Marlin position

Former Brewer Riddiford founder and chairman John Brewer has emerged at Blue Marlin as creative director Europe to oversee the Bath consultancy’s European expansion.

He will spearhead Blue Marlin’s expansion in mainland Europe and manage the establishment in September of the consultancy’s first London and Paris offices.

The group has embarked on a recruitment drive, also poaching Design Bridge Structure senior designers Andrew Capper and Martin Greaves for the London office, which will spearhead the group’s structural design effort.

Capper and Greaves will be joined in London by Blue Marlin creative director – structure David Bicknell and former Proctor and Gamble design manager for global brands Michael Butler, who joins as managing director.

Blue Marlin is looking for four designers for its London division, which will be based in Chelsea Harbour and will service clients such as Cadbury Schweppes, ICI and Cussons.

Brewer replaces Blue Marlin creative director Sophie Stinson, who becomes creative director UK. She will be moving to the London office to share space and front a graphics team.

Brewer joins Blue Marlin after a year on sabbatical. He approached the group about six weeks ago as “he wanted a fresh start”.

He says joint Brewer Riddiford creative directors John Wynne and Steve Booth were “groomed for [Brewer’s] succession” prior to taking over in July 1999.

Blue Marlin managing director Andrew Eyles says: “[Brewer] will be managing our growth across Europe and will creatively guide all our studios.”