Light and Coley creates a board

Light & Coley has created a board of directors following a series of internal promotions which sees its co-founders becoming joint chief executives.

“Laurie [Light] and myself were the only managing directors, and after a period of expansion, we realised the need for a solid management team,” says Alan Coley.

The consultancy now has a seven-strong board of directors, including co-founders Light and Coley, who have been promoted from joint managing directors to joint chief executives. Long-term staff comprise the five other promotions to the board.

While staying involved in key accounts, Coley and Light will focus on “looking outwards” to develop foreign business. Currently, around 8 per cent of the consultancy’s work is in Europe and the aim is, “to push overseas business and spread beyond Europe”, says Coley.

In their new positions as joint managing directors, Martin Seymour, former design director and David Jones, former account director,will “look inwards and deal with the day-to-day running of business”, says Coley.

With more than 40 staff and a growth rate of 40 per cent over the past two years, the consultancy is also stepping up activity in the retail sector. “It’s time to offer clients the bigger picture,” says Coley. “This means supplying everything from retail space and livery to packaging,” he adds. “The consultancy continues its working relationship with retail interiors group Lumsden Design Partnership.”

“The days of the old-fashioned design group, where one head oversees everything are over,” Coley says.

As part of its expansion, the consultancy will look to set up a fourth creative team in the future.