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Newcastle digital agency Orange Bus reports ‘phenomenal’ trading ahead of restructure

Newcastle-based Orange Bus will undergo a restructure to support its growth ambitions, as the company targets big firms investing in innovation and channel shift.

The digital agency, which supplies digital products and services to large businesses such as Philips, NHS and Aston Martin Racing, has reported a ‘phenomenal’ six months trading with quarterly revenues of around £1m.

The re-shape will enable Orange Bus to structure its growth plans to reach £10m in the next three years. Co-founders Mike Parker and Julian Leighton now have chief innovation and chief executive officer roles respectively - former head of operations and new managing director, Kris Kennedy will oversee a team of five new directors.

Phil Jones, founder of Podge Events, which brings together leaders and leading lights in the digital industry - and DADI Awards chairman, joins as non-executive director and mentor to the management team.

Mr Jones is widely recognised as one of the most connected people in digital and is one of only 20 people inducted into the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) Digital Hall of Fame.

The team of new directors give every department a dedicated focus on targets and aims for the business, explains Mr Leighton: “Kris has been running the day-to-day operations for some time now; formalising and restructuring the team means he can run the business in a way that allows crucial decisions to be made quickly as the opportunities come in.

“We’ve had a phenomenal six months and are ahead of target for the first half of the year - we’re smashing records every month,” said Mr Leighton

“Increasing our client spread, particularly into Government work, has been transformational for the business - we now have a dedicated team working for HMRC. Digital channel shift strategy is a major growth area for us and big organisations investing in innovation around their core services are providing us with the opportunities for exponential growth.

“We’ve also targeted a good mix of ecommerce and mobile work with aspirational lifestyle brands such as Barbour and Joules.

“Each director brings a wealth of expertise in their field, and Kris is an incredibly safe pair of hands and allows us to separate the management of the day-to-day running of the business from the turbulence of rapid growth.

“He’s largely unflappable, gives real attention to detail and is excellent at managing people – Orange Bus has a cool, calm eye on the ball at all times with him. Phil Jones brings a wealth of experience and industry contacts to the management team, and is already proving to be invaluable.”

Orange Bus expanded into London last year with a team dedicated to nurturing new relationships, while it’s ever-expanding HQ in Milburn House, Newcastle, is designed for agile working and rapid production. Teams collaborate with clients, including government departments, on and off-site.

The agency employs a team of 50, bringing a scientific approach to technology, creativity and innovation - extending businesses across multiple platforms through software development, responsive digital design, cross-channel marketing campaigns.

Mr Kennedy said: “This is such an exciting time for Orange Bus. We have an incredible pool of talent and the new structure provides firm foundations for an ambitious management team with a clear vision for future growth.”

Orange Bus clients include HMRC, Barbour, the NHS, Capita, Pearson Education, Philips, Joules, Aston Martin Racing, the Department for Education, the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Sage.

Mr Jones said: “I am thrilled to have joined Orange Bus, I love the creativity within the business, the quirky and warm reception, the camaraderie they have within the team. I’m honoured to be part of it.”

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