Design House names new MD

Design House founders Tim May and John Larkin are stepping down after 30 years for the next generation of management.

Client services director and board member Lavinia Culverhouse has been promoted to managing director, while May and Larkin, chairman and managing director respectively, will stay on as “internal consultants”.

The founders, who remain as directors, will continue to head up big projects, develop new business and “coach and develop the skills of the people we have and pass on our experience”, says Larkin.

Meanwhile, Marcus Haslam, 2D creative director, and Mike Booth, 3D creative director, will become “increasingly involved in the day-to-day management” of the consultancy, says Culverhouse.

“I feel very strongly that the last couple of years have been about getting our house in order. We had to improve our creative standards,” Culverhouse says. “Now we can really springboard.”

In her new role, Culverhouse is looking to sort out the group’s multimedia offer. “We feel we are missing an opportunity [not being able to offer websites],” she adds.

Culverhouse will continue to act as client services director for the 40-strong group.