Humphris to become new managing director of Iris Manchester
Iris has announced that Simon Humphris has joined its Manchester office as managing director, replacing managing partner Lindsay Wall in running the agency.
Humphris, who joined iris in 2003 to run its T-Mobile account, will take up the role this month from the London operation where he has been a managing partner and board director for eight years and will be tasked with overseeing an ‘aggressive business programme’ which will target the North West marketing industry.
In the past he has led successful pitches for Speedo, Coca-Cola, Orange and several UK adidas projects.
He was promoted as a board director in 2006, becoming client services director in the process.
Humphis will be joined by iris founding partner and wife Claire Humphris, who will become new business director.
She has recently she has been leading global integrated campaigns for Shell.
Ian Millner, CEO for iris Europe described the appointment as ‘the beginning of a whole new chapter for iris Manchester.”
He added: “The office has gone great guns since we launched it seven years ago, and now it’s time to build on this further. Simon and Claire are true experts in their fields and so the other regional agencies had better watch out because knowing them, they will be going full steam ahead.”
Simon Humphris commented: “It feels good to be back. 11 years in London has shown us everything that’s great about this industry, and a whole lot of things that aren’t. More than ever clients need unequivocal advice, realism, honesty, guidance, as well as world-class strategic & creative delivery. This is what we’ll make this agency synonymous with. We’ve got ambitious clients who want to win - it’s our job to make that more likely by embodying these values."
Creative director at iris Manchester, Pete Armstrong added: “Ask any agency with a Manchester postcode and they’ll say the same thing, the North West as a whole has never been more exciting and vibrant. But oddly the agency scene has remained the same for many, many years. Pretty much the same names doing the same sort of work. Iris has proven in many cities around the world there’s room for a different kind of agency. Si and Claire’s arrival is great news for Manchester.”
Meanwhile, former managing partner for Manchester Lindsay Wall will join iris London as managing partner where he will be responsible for some of its key accounts including Volkswagen.