The head of creative agency Fluid Ideas’ search and social media team has been promoted to associate partner. Ben Meakin joined the agency in 2018 from the University of Derby Students’ Union, where he was the marketing and engagement manager. He began at Fluid in a marketing manager role but soon began to focus on search and social media. He currently leads a 10-strong team with an expanding client base. Ben is the fourth member of the Fluid team to be promoted to associate partner, a position created to give its rising stars a more active leadership role across the business. Fluid Ideas is a full-service agency whose operations cover branding and campaigns, graphic and website design, computer-generated imagery, 3D animation and video, photography, copywriting, digital marketing, content management, search and social media – all in-house. Its client base spans sectors including healthcare, retirement living, property, professional services, education, finance, leisure and hospitality. The agency celebrated its 18th birthday in January and posted record annual revenues of £3.2m in the year to November, boosted by increased business from existing clients and a raft of new wins. Staff numbers have reached 50 in line with its growth. Ben’s achievements at Fluid include devising an award-winning campaign for the National Forest Adventure Farm in Staffordshire, which helped attract a record number of visitors to its Halloween-themed scare attraction Screamfest. He has also worked closely with East Midlands Railway, which has developed into a full service client, has gained further awards recognition for e-commerce campaigns, and through a number of projects has helped generate record inquiries for Inspired Villages, a retirement villages group which is backed by Legal & General. Ed Bowler, joint managing director at Fluid, said: “From the outset, it was apparent that Ben had a real hunger for the world of search and social. He won our first significant social media client within a few weeks, has continued to grow our digital offering and now heads a 10-strong team from a standing start. “He brings sheer passion, energy, creativity and a natural positivity to Fluid. He leads by example in his ambition and in the way he supports the team and encourages them to grow and push the boundaries of what they can achieve. “We have always prioritised internal growth rather than senior external appointments, and Ben’s fully deserved promotion is another good example of this strategy.” Ben said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Fluid team and to have been given the opportunity to create an entirely new team. “I’m extremely proud and grateful to be promoted to associate partner, and can’t wait to be more involved in the development of Fluid as an agency, continuing to help our clients grow their digital brands.”

The CEO of Joules, the Market Harborough-based lifestyle group, is to step down from the role after three years with the company. Since joining the business in 2019, Nick Jones has helped Joules to navigate through an unprecedented trading environment, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure Joules has achieved several key strategic milestones including the launch and expansion of Friends of Joules and the growth of the group’s active customer base and brand awareness to all-time highs. The Board will begin the search for Nick’s successor immediately. The news comes as Joules provides a trading update relating to the 13 weeks from 1 February to 1 May 2022. The business says it has continued to deliver strong revenue growth, of approximately 20% for the period. However, the firm noted that as market conditions have become more challenging during and following the Easter period, as consumer confidence has been impacted by the rising cost of living, Joules has not been immune to these sector-wide pressures, which have led the group’s profit performance to fall below management’s expectations in certain areas. Nick Jones, CEO of Joules, said: “Building on the strategic progress made so far, over the coming months we will continue to deliver against the clear priorities that the Board and I believe will create a strong foundation for Joules to achieve its significant long-term potential, as well as helping the business to navigate the current challenging trading environment. “Joules is a fantastic brand with great people, loyal customers, and a differentiated product offering. Underpinned by the strategic actions we are taking to optimise the business, Joules will emerge stronger and better positioned to achieve long-term, profitable growth.” Ian Filby, non-executive chairman of Joules, said: “On behalf of the Board and everyone at Joules, I would like to thank Nick for his significant efforts over the last three years. He has led the business with integrity, care, and energy during what has been a particularly challenging period for the retail sector, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Under Nick’s leadership Joules has made good progress against its strategy to develop as a digital-led lifestyle group. More recently, he has led the business in implementing a number of important strategic initiatives that will underpin the group’s future over the coming years. “The Board will now begin a search process for Nick’s successor and will share an update in due course.”