Howard buys out Judge in PR takeover

LIBBY Howard has bought out her business partner’s stake in the Manchester-based PR & social media agency Judge & Howard.

She has acquired a 50% shareholding held by Suzanne Judge who is on extended maternity leave. The company said she was keen to spend more time with her family.

The business will continue to use the Judge & Howard name but will rebrand early next year.

Ms Howard said: “On the one hand it’s a big change but on the other it’s business as usual. During the past 16 months, the business has continued to move forward and I am grateful for the tremendous support of directors Diana MacCarthy and Claire Evans and the rest of the team.
 
“In fact, 2013-14 has been a record year for us. We have broken the £1m turnover barrier for the first time on the back of significant client gains and expansion of existing clients. We have also recruited to take advantage of the business world’s growing need for intelligent social media and content marketing.”
 
Ms Judge said: “I am very proud of the quality of our work and the thriving business we have created. I am supremely confident that Libby and the team will continue to drive the business forward and achieve even greater success.”
 
Judge & Howard was founded in 2009 and has 10 staff. Its clients include: Brother Europe, EMIS Group, Synectics, United Utilities and Pharmacy2U.