Watson to be Fitch MD

Fitch has appointed Tim Watson as its new managing director following Tin Greenhalgh’s promotion to chief creative officer in January. The former Duffy London chief will oversee Fitch’s London studio, reporting to managing partner Lucy Unger.

Watson takes up his position on 15 October, having left Prize, the brand consultancy he set up three years ago. ‘I wasn’t looking for a new job,’ says Watson, ‘but it was suggested that I should meet [Unger] to discuss taking Fitch London on.

‘Organisations often recruit managing directors when they are not doing well, but Fitch appears to be in good shape. The company has gone though a period of regeneration recently, and Fitch is well placed to take advantage of its position. Now is the time to consolidate.’

He adds, ‘In many large consultancies you could be forgiven for thinking that business comes first, but Fitch is a very people-oriented company, which came as a bit of a surprise.’

Watson joins Fitch as it enters the final stages of a ‘strategic retail design project’ for Marks & Spencer. A Fitch spokeswoman confirmed that the consultancy was engaged on the project in January, following the completion of M&S Kitchen. M&S Kitchen was Fitch’s first project for the retailer. The consultancy designed the interior of the standalone café, which opened in Canterbury at the end of last year.