Creative agency marks 30 years by handing ownership to employees
As Rees Bradley Hepburn (RBH) celebrates its 30th anniversary, its co-founders have decided to pass on the reins.
Debra Hepburn and Tim Rees have sold 100% of their shares to the team, making the firm fully employee-owned.
With Debra Hepburn staying on as managing director, Tim Rees, and RBH employees Jo James, Kevin Bishop and Honor Nicholls will take up Trustee roles.
The RBH Board, consisting of James Hodges, Natalie Griffiths, Rob Drewry, Fizz Bingham, Rebecca Williams, Michael Vines and Joe Hepburn along with Debra Hepburn, hopes to continue the culture and company ethos as it enters its fourth decade.
RBH is a Coventry-based creative agency with a team of 50 and was founded in 1995.
Debra Hepburn said: “When we set up RBH, we wanted to create a flat structure, one where people sat together in an open flow space. Where ideas could come from anywhere. Where we could make things happen for our clients brilliantly and fast without complex management layers. We wanted RBH to be “our agency”, where everyone felt valued and able to contribute and enjoy the rewards.
“We have had countless suitors over the years. Even more in the last year or two. But we have stayed
fiercely independent and have never wanted to work for anyone else or work differently. RBH is us. We are RBH. But so are our exceptional colleagues. When it came to deciding upon the future of RBH we simply reverted to our original founding intention, that we will always want this to be our agency.”
Jo James, RBH employee and appointed Trustee said: “News of the Employee Ownership has been well received by the whole RBH team, and we are all delighted that we get to grow and contribute to the success of the company we love so much. The culture of our business is important to every one of us so we are pleased that the EOT will protect this for years to come.”
