Communications agency MC2 becomes employee owned

Mike Perls

Manchester communications agency, MC2, has become employee owned.

Established 22 years ago by Mike Perls MBE and Jenny Morgan, MC2 has grown to a 35-strong integrated agency supporting high-growth businesses and placemaking organisations.

Its clients encompass technology, financial services and placemaking, and include Deloitte, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), NCC Group and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Jonathan Saatchi, Diane Barker, Liam Buckley, Lucy Giles, Ellie Spellman and Sarah Harris will form MC2’s executive board, with Mike Perls  stepping into the role of chair and Jenny Morgan acting as non-executive director.

Perls and Morgan remain intrinsically involved in the business.

As part of the restructure, an Employee Ownership Trust (This is our MC2) has been established, which holds 100 per cent of the shares of the business on behalf of its partners.

The Trust board includes Mike Perls MBE, Sarah Harris and Andrei Mylroie, partner of Washington-based agency Desautel Hege, in a non-executive director role.

Mike said: “This is the most significant moment in our 22-year history. The move to a full employee ownership model is one that, I believe, will take this brilliant business to a whole new level. I’ve never enjoyed working more than right now and I’m genuinely excited to see where we can all take MC2 over the coming years.

“We have always benefited from outstanding partnerships with our clients, many who have been with us for a significant part of the journey to date, and I’m certain that our incredible talent will use this platform to reimagine what brilliant looks like in all of our relationships.”

Jonathan Saatchi, director at MC2, added: “There’s no greater acknowledgement of the talent and dedication of our people than moving to employee ownership. There’s a real buzz around the place about the future of the business and the opportunities this will open up for the team.

“For our clients, this won’t change the way we work with them, but what it will mean is that every interaction they have with MC2 – whether with our strategists, content, digital, design or video teams – will now be with a partner. That’s hugely significant.

“We see this as a brilliant platform for growth and are all ready for this next stage of MC2’s journey.”

JMW Solicitors and HURST Accountants advised MC2 on the transaction.

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