Lund moves up to Mission CEO as Clifton steps down

Mission Group chief executive James Clifton is stepping down after five years in the role to pursue “a new opportunity” and is being succeeded by former McCann Worldgroup UK and Europe Mark Lund on an interim basis.

The group, which owns agencies Krow, Bray Leino, and Story, rejected a takeover bid by fellow AIM-listed digital media and martech company Brave Bison earlier this year.

At the time, Mission said that “following consultation with financial and legal advisers, [we have] unanimously rejected the possible offer which [we] believe to be opportunistic and significantly undervalues the group and its prospects”.

The group said it will now start the search for a new boss and will provide an update in due course.

Clifton started his career at Renault, then had spells at Black Cat, RMG Connect and JWT before joining Balloon Dog as chief executive in 2007. A year later the agency merged with Big Communications to form Big Dog and was acquired by Mission in 2012.

Clifton has been group CEO since 2019.

Lund joined the Mission board in September 2022 following a an agency career during which he co founded Delaney Lund Knox Warren (now Mullen Lowe) and was most recently at McCann. He is also non-executive chair of Smart Energy GB and the Advertising Standards Board of Finance (ASBOF), which funds the advertising self- regulation system in the UK policed out by the Advertising Standards Authority.

As interim group CEO, Lund will oversee group operations, while continuing to develop and implement the group’s strategy to create long-term value for shareholders by achieving profitability targets and deleveraging and strengthening MISSION’s balance sheet, all of which remain on track.

Mission non-executive chair David Morgan said: “I have personally greatly enjoyed working with James. On behalf of the board I would like to thank him for his dedication, expertise, flair and his significant contribution during his time with the business. We wish him well in his new opportunity.

“I am pleased that Mark has agreed to lead our business in the interim. He has been integral to our strategic planning and development this year and his wealth of industry experience and dynamic leadership will keep us on course to drive forward on behalf of our shareholders, employees and clients.”

Clifton said: “I have been very proud to lead Mission over the last five years. With firm foundations and a highly talented leadership team in place, the group feels set fair for 2024 and beyond.

“As such now feels like the right time to take on my next challenge, outside the group. I wish David, Mark and the entire team the very best for the future.”