Managing director Phil Dean to leave Thompson Brand Partners

Phil Dean, managing director of Thompson Brand Partners, is to leave the Leeds-based agency at the end of this month, The Drum has learned.

Dean (pictured) has been a co-director at Thompson since 2003, when he joined from ATTIK where he was the agency's UK MD. He today said he planned to stay in the industry and "pursue new opportunities".

Ian Thompson, the agency's founder and creative director, is expected to take on the responsibility of developing the business.

In a joint statement to The Drum, both Thompson and Dean say they have made their decision to go separate ways because they have both "decided that the time is right to move in different directions".

Dean said: "I've really enjoyed my time at Thompson and I feel like I’ve really helped to contribute to the growth of the business into one of the UK’s foremost branding agencies. Ian is a brilliant creative director and highly regarded in the industry.

"The timing is right for me to move on and I have a number of exciting opportunities I’m looking at – I’ll be able to share these when the time is right.”

Thompson said he was proud of what the pair have achieved together at the agency. They have worked with clients including Paul Smith, Prozone and Harvey Nichols.

"We envisioned a position we wanted to get to and we really have gone a long way towards it," Thompson said.

"Phil has brought a lot to Thompson and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for what he’s done and I know he’ll be a great success in whatever he chooses to do next.

"I’ve got plans for how I intend to take the company forward which I’ll be able to announce shortly."