The founder of Blume, Dez Derry, is stepping down from the company as it reveals its new leadership team.
Derry set up specialist legal digital agency, mmadigital; oversaw its transformation to Blume; and acquisition by Sun Capital Partners in 2022. He will remain a shareholder, but Alex Kenny will take over as CEO.
Kenny was previously Chief Marketing Officer for Sun Capital Partner’s Fletchers Group. He has more than 20 years experience in the legal sector, most of which leading marketing and call centre operations. He is also the founder of Patient Claim Line.
“I am both excited and humbled to take on the leadership of Blume going forward – it’s a great place to work with an amazing team, fantastic clients, and, crucially, a quality product at its core,” said Kenny.
“It’s a privilege to take over the helm from Dez, who has not only grown the business to where it is today but carved a strong reputation in the clinical negligence and personal injury market. The new team and I are focussed on continuing to deliver high-quality work that allows our law firm clients to ‘Blume’, all supported by exceptional client care. Bringing our Blume colleagues under one roof is a really exciting milestone for us, and forms part of a wider ambition for Blume’s growth and evolution.”
Kenny will be supported by Chief Commercial Officer and Clinical Negligence lawyer Zoe Holland MBE, who will be leading business development and client relations; Lisa Emsley becomes Chief Operating Officer and Joe Morgan, Finance Director.
In addition to the personnel changes, Blume is also opening a new office in South Manchester this Spring. It will take 10,500 sq ft space at Egerton House in Towers Business Park, Didsbury. This more than doubles its capacity “help meet future operational requirements.”
Its 150 staff are expected to move in by April.
“We wanted to find a new site that would enable us to bring all our team members together in one place in an environment where colleagues can grow and thrive. Not only does the new space in Towers fulfil that objective, but it is well-connected and offers an environment that supports a better work/life balance. We’re looking forward to creating a new, vibrant and personalised workplace for our hard-working teams to enjoy and thrive in,” added Blume’s Chief Operating Officer, Lisa Emsley.
