Whiteoaks announces completion of management buyout

Whiteoaks has announced that its senior team has successfully completed a management buyout of the business.

Following this takeover, the agency's managing director and major shareholder James Kelliher has become its new chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Founder Gill Craig and all other remaining shareholders have been bought out.

Director and shareholder Suzanne Munton will become Whiteoaks' new managing director, with Hayley Goff taking on the role of client services director.

The Lloyds Bank-supported takeover also sees John Broy and Sharon Barlow promoted to become associate directors of the business, while Mr Craig will continue to be involved, offering business development consultancy and services to the management team.

Mr Kelliher said: "Our enviable reputation and impressive growth have been built on an uncompromising commitment to delivering proven return on investment for leading technology companies."

The company was founded in 1993 and is one of the UK's leading technology PR consultancies, as well as being the top-ranked agency based outside of London.