Dozens of redundancies confirmed as marketing agency falls into administration

Leeds-based marketing business Brass Agency has gone into administration, with more than 60 staff made redundant.

Gareth Harris and Keith Marshall of RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed Joint Administrators of Brass Agency Limited on 29 November 2019.

The company provided a full range of marketing services to local, national and global organisations. At the date of appointment, the company employed over 60 members of staff, all of whom have been paid up to the date of cessation of trade on 28 November 2019.

All employees were made redundant on 28 November 2019 and their claims will be dealt with by the Redundancy Payments Service.

Brass Agency had faced increasing cash flow pressure during recent months. Its directors had sought to secure additional finance and sell the firm’s freehold property – however, this did not prove possible in the time available.

A spokesman said the company’s directors had taken the “difficult decision” to cease trading and start the process to place the agency into administration.

Gareth Harris, RSM Restructuring Advisory partner and joint administrator, said: “Despite the best efforts of the directors to seek alternative funding and to sell the company’s freehold property at the level required to eradicate the company’s cash shortfall, it was unfortunately not possible to achieve in the time available.

“All employees have been paid up the date of their redundancy.”

Any enquiries should be directed to Claire Robinson at RSM on 0113 285 5000.

Following the administration, Beattie Communications issued a plea to other agencies to get in touch if they were also experiencing cash flow problems.

“What happened with Brass was a tragedy that should never have occurred,” said Gordon Beattie the chairman of Beattie, the integrated communications agency, which also has an office in Leeds.

“Brass was a great agency with a proud history and a hugely talented team. I’m confident we could have turned that business around had they come to us for help.

“Times are tough across the marketing and communications sector but a few agencies, like ourselves, are bucking the trend and doing rather well.

“I’d hate to see any more creative agencies go to the wall because of a lack of funding. We have an investment war chest and we’re ready to dip into it to help turn around vibrant businesses that are struggling in the present financial climate.”

Beattie CEO, Laurna Woods, said: “We are prepared to invest in PR, digital, social, creative and content firms anywhere in the UK or Ireland.

“What’s more, we’re always looking for fresh talent so we’d love to hear from staff at Brass who have been made redundant as a result of the agency folding.”

Headquartered in London, Beattie has 12 offices in the UK including Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast and four Beattie Tartan offices in North America.

It also operates a chain of specialist marketing boutiques under the Only brand.