PR firm is now owned by employees

Communications and marketing firm Purplefish has become employee owned.

Joanna Randall, who set up the business in 2012, has sold 100% of shares to the new trust.

The company, based in Bristol’s creative business community at Paintworks, was awarded B Corporation certification two years ago and becomes the first PR agency in Bristol to make the transition to employee ownership.

Joanna Randall will remain an executive board director while associate director Lucy McKerron has been promoted to the role of managing director.

They are joined by two employee trustee directors, senior account manager Jonathan Adams and account manager Zoë Fawcett.

As an employee-owned business, the team will have greater input into the running of the business and its future and will benefit from a share of the profits.

Joanna Randall said: “This is a really exciting time for the business. As a sole owner and shareholder it can often be an isolated role so I’m really looking forward to being part of the new management team in defining our future direction.

“I believe our traditional business structures are becoming outdated where companies are run for the sole benefit of owners and shareholders – employee ownership offers a more authentic way of running a business where commercial

“I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into the role of managing director here at Purplefish, Lucy McKerron added. “I’m looking forward to continuing to innovate as a business, both for our existing and new clients as we grow and evolve.

“We’re committed to leaning into the opportunities emerging technologies can bring while maintaining our human-centric approach to creativity, our connection to the issues that matter, while continuing to help our clients stand out and thrive.”