The chair of Digital Lancashire and managing director of Miralis has joined Hotfoot Design as a non-executive director.
Once co-owner and managing director of Fat Media, Michael Gibson oversaw the growth of the company from a small office in Lancaster to one of the largest digital marketing agencies in the UK.
He left the company three years ago following a buy-out, and this is his first agency role since.
Gibson will be working closely with three partners – founder and creative director Charlie Haywood, technical director Aidan Watt, and marketing director Guy Cookson.
He will be advising on plans for strategic growth soon after the firm achieved ‘a raft of recent business wins’, including Beetham Nurseries, Jewels of the Ummah, Atkinson Vos and Lancaster Brewery.
Gibson said: “Hotfoot is a brilliant creative agency with a great reputation for design and digital marketing.
“They have a great understanding of their clients, and the customers of those companies, which helps deliver great results for them. I’m delighted to be getting involved to help the team take things to the next level.
“After some time away from the agency world it’s an opportunity I will relish.”
Hotfoot is also through to the second round for Creative Agency of the Year at the BIBAs 2017.
Charlie Haywood, founder and creative director, added: “Mike is someone we’ve always had great respect for, and whose advice we value after all he has accomplished.
“It’s a real coup to have Mike on board, and we’re really looking forward working together.”
Gibson has had an impressive career to date; in addition to his time at Fat Media, he is also currently chair of Digital Lancashire, and a board member of Creative Lancashire.
Since leaving Fat Media he launched Miralis – a business consultancy specialising in big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning – and is a director of fast-growing ecommerce company UK Bathroom Store.
Hotfoot Design was launched in 2006 and is based in the Storey in the centre of Lancaster.