Dispute between An Agency called England and Fuse 8 to end up in court
The departure of four staff from An Agency Called England over the past two months, to join Leeds-based integrated marketing solutions consultancy Fuse 8 Group, has resulted in an ongoing dispute between the two companies, The Drum has learned.
The dispute is currently heading for a five-day hearing in court in November unless the matter can be resolved sooner.
The disagreement centres on the arrival of Nigel Hunter, who was director of strategy & planning at An Agency Called England, as a director at Fuse 8 Group. His colleague Zoe Ward was an account manager at England and she now holds the same position at Fuse 8 Group.
It is understood that at least one high value client has withdrawn their contract from An Agency Called England and engaged Fuse 8. Fuse 8 has maintained that they did not go after any of the An Agency Called England’s clients, and their relationships were formed strictly after Hunter’s arrival.
An Agency Called England has raised an injunction charge against Nigel Hunter, aiming to bar him from working within a ten mile radius of the firm, which is being challenged by Fuse 8. Both companies are based in Leeds and such a restriction would force Hunter to work beyond the city borders. It is understood that during proceedings An Agency Called England suggested that Hunter could instead work in Doncaster or Barnsley.
A spokesman from Fuse 8 told us, “It was never a question of going after their clients. We have enough of our own. You have a situation which is not conducive to a productive environment within Leeds. It has all got awfully messy.”
Hunter and Ward will be joined at Fuse 8 during August by media director Stephen Dixon and studio manager Mike Ward, both currently on garden leave after exiting An Agency Called England.
An announcement on a major new business win is expected shortly from Fuse 8. Tony Stanton, An Agency Called England’s chief executive, declined to comment.