Long-established Devon agency has new leader

Exeter-based branding and digital communications company, Chalk & Ward, has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director.

The agency’s current Creative Director, Alister Tickle, is taking over the role from co-founder Robert Chalk, who will remain with the firm in a consultancy role.

Robert, who started the company just over 25 years ago, says the change at the top has been planned for some time: “I have loved helping to grow Chalk & Ward over the past quarter of a century and have been privileged to work with an outstanding team and brilliant clients, but the time has now come to bring the next generation through. Alister has been with us since day one and has given 100%to his work. I am confident that he will always do what is right for the business.”

Over the years, Chalk & Ward’s has worked with such household names as P&O Cruises, Dartington Crystal, the Met Office and The Range. Current clients include Michael Caines ‘flagship hotel, Lympstone Manor, Mole Valley Farmers, Devon Air Ambulance, Naturalmat and the Marine Biological Association.

The company started out as an advertising agency but now specialises in strategic branding and brand creation along with digital marketing, PR, and website development.

Alister joined the company as a junior artwork designer in 1999, working his way up to Creative Director, before becoming a member of the board six years ago. The other directors are Lisa Prescott, Gemma Boss and Greig Barclay.

He says: “I did not envisage getting this job, but I am incredibly excited about what the future holds. So much has changed since I first started at Chalk & Ward. Back then, my work was entirely based on designing advertisements, but this is exceedingly rare nowadays. We now do much more branding and digital work, and the board is focusing on growing those areas of the business.”

He adds: “The agency has such a great culture. There is a range of ages in our team, and we have a dynamic mix of energy, skills and experience. I consider my colleagues to be the very best at what they do. Chalk & Ward has built a stellar reputation here in the South West and further afield and we are looking forward to the next 25 years.”