Bray Leino Yucca, the Bristol-based digital and direct marketing agency, has promoted data and digital director Alan Thorpe as its new managing director following the sudden death in October of the business’ founder and long-time leader Ben Martin.
Martin joined Yucca in 2006 before it was acquired by The Mission Marketing Group and merged with Bray Leino five years later. During his time, the agency grew the agency to a team of nearly 60, working on over £1m of business across clients including Clarks Silverstone Circuits, Hoburne Holiday Parks, Howies and Motability.
Thorpe – the one-star of BBC’s Big Allotment Challenge – joined the agency last year after closing his start-up ConversationGlue and will take charge of Bray Leino Yucca with immediate effect. The former Indicia and G2 data chief has extensive industry experience and a successful track record over the last two years as Bray Leino Yucca’s data chief.
Thorpe said: “I am privileged to take forward the business which Ben led for so many years. Bray Leino Yucca has an excellent, knowledgeable and experienced team and I am fully committed to helping them continue to grow and thrive.”
Bray Leino Group executive chairman Giles Lee added: “This has been a difficult time during which the Bray Leino Yucca team have performed admirably. It’s our responsibility to ensure the business has strong leadership to take it forward and I’m glad Alan has stepped up to provide that.”
Thorpe starred in BBC Two show The Big Allotment Challenge last year, but lost out at the semi-final stage.
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