Sandy Lindsay has sold her remaining shares in Manchester-based PR and social agency Tangerine to co-CEOs Sam Gregory and Mary Harding.
Gregory and Harding have increased their shareholding to 36 per cent as a result, and the news comes just weeks after winning Head of Agency at the Campaign UK Awards.
Back in 2017, Tangerine made history when it became the first creative agency in the UK to go employee-owned.
Gregory said: “The co-CEO partnership that Mary and I have developed over the years is grounded in trust, unwavering support and a vision to make a difference.
“We have always shared a belief that our industry can be better and a determination to challenge the status quo and push it forward.
“That belief has shaped the business we’ve built: one that’s grown into a national and international force, powered by brilliant people and exceptional clients who share our ambition to stay ahead and do work that truly matters.
Work wife
“Tonight, I’ll be raising a glass to all of you who’ve been part of the journey so far, but especially to Mary. I now pronounce us work wife and work wife!”
Harding said: “When I left London and moved to Manchester 13 years ago, I never imagined this would be possible.
“But Tangerine has a way of growing people, not just a business.
“I’ve been given the space to stretch, the trust to lead, and the opportunity to become the best version of myself, and it’s what’s made this possible.
“Doing this with Sam is a special moment for both of us. We believe deeply in the co-CEO partnership, different perspectives, shared ambition and mutual trust, and we’re fortunate that it makes us stronger leaders and delivers better outcomes for our people and our clients.”
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Lindsay, who was named as a BusinessCloud Northern Leader in 2024 and 2025, said she was ‘over the moon’ that her remaining shares had been bought by the co-CEOs.
She said: “A little over 24 years ago we launched Tangerine to prove ethics and profit were not mutually exclusive ambitions. Our values have always been: do great work, treat people well and success for all will naturally follow.
“I also said at that time that, when I started to feel ready to step back, I would find a way to put the company into the hands of the people, rather than sell on the open market and risk these values.
“15 years later, nearly 10 years ago, we became the first creative agency in the UK to become an Employee Ownership Trust and now I am absolutely over the moon to say that my remaining shares have been bought by my wonderful co-CEOs, Sam Gregory and Mary Harding.
“There literally couldn’t be a better result for me, for them, for the company and for our wonderful team and clients.
“By buying these shares, Sam and Mary, who have been leading the company for more than a decade and just last week were jointly named Agency Leaders of the Year by Campaign magazine, are backing themselves.
Investment in the future
“They’re believing in the future of the business they love and they’re locking themselves in, which ensures our values will continue into what can only be an even brighter future.
“They have asked me to stay on, in a non-executive capacity, to continue to help guide the culture and values of the business and I will, of course, be honoured to do so.
“Today Tangerine has more than 130 people, working with some of the world’s leading brands and regularly winning national and international awards and I still sometimes, honestly, have to pinch myself.
“Big thanks to Daniel Varney, of Glaisers, and to our FD Matt Emblem, for steering us through the deal and for your patience. Contracts and detail were never my strong suit.”
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