Martin and Morrice part company as Flora leaves Citigate Smarts
After weeks of mounting speculation, Flora Martin this week officially left Citigate Smarts, the agency that she co-founded as Flora Martin PR some 15 years ago.
Martin’s departure comes around four years after Citigate PR took over and was merged with Smarts Advertising and Design in Edinburgh to create the integrated agency Citigate Smarts.
According to Rob Morrice, regional chief executive of the Citigate Smarts group of agencies across the UK, the board of directors in Scotland has been working towards an exit strategy for Flora since around March 2004. It was planned that she would depart at some point next year, but it was felt that now was the best time for such a move.
Martin’s departure paves the way for Lesley Alexander to take over the operation of the PR part of the business and she will become joint managing director alongside Helen Morrison, who is based in Edinburgh, who will take on the day-to-day running of the advertising side of the business.
Speaking of her decision to leave, Martin said: “I just felt that the time is right for me to move on. It has been eight years since Citigate bought my business and I feel that I want to try a new challenge.
“I don’t think me leaving will affect things too much. Lesley has been with me for years so I know she shares a lot of my values when it comes to the business.”
Martin was remaining tight-lipped about her plans for the future, but it is expected that she will continue in the PR industry in some form. Meanwhile, she says she plans to spend some time with her family and perfecting her fledgling golf swing.
Speaking of her departure, Morrice said: “Although I’m sad to see Flora go, it’s always exciting when good young people come through. Lesley and Helen deserve their chance and I’m sure they’ll both live up to the challenge.”
It is also believed that Citigate Smarts is to review its board of directors, following Martin’s departure.