Manchester City Council's m-four creative director Smith to join Corporate Culture

Ian Smith, creative director of m-four, Manchester City Council’s in-house creative department, is to leave this week to join social marketing agency Corporate Culture.

Smith, who has led the creative department for exactly three years, will be based in the London office, but will be involved in overseeing its creative department in Liverpool too as deputy creative director, explained Peter Henshaw, creative director for Corporate Culture.

“It’s really exciting to get to work under Peter,” said Smith. “I’ll be tasked with moving the London office forward, working with a head of copy. It’s an incredibly exciting proposition and challenge, although I will miss working in Manchester, which has been fantastic and it has been a real wrench to have to leave.”

It is understood that six members of staff will remain at m-four.

Sara Tomkins, Manchester City Council's director of communications, said: "We'll be sad to see the departure of such a talented creative director and we wish Ian the best of luck with his relocation to London and in his new role. Ian has been instrumental in refreshing the Council brand and improving the quality of the creative product.

"He has lead the in-house creative team who have made a notable difference to Manchester from increased recycling rates, attracting more foster carers, improving school attendance figures to driving footfall to major events in the city and the latest 'do it online' communication to encourage customers utilising services via the web. Ian's legacy is a strong design team who will continue the award winning standards he set."