When long-standing agencies IMA and HOME merged in 2021, the combined powerhouse set the ambitious growth target of hiring 200 new people in three years.
The agency has gone from strength to strength since merging, with some significant new client wins including Hisense Global, Bumble, Speedo and Rubicon. It’s on its way to achieving that 200 hires target too. 50 new starters have been successfully hired so far across a variety of roles, with a further 15 due to start before September.
A new director of people has now been appointed to press on with the ambitious recruitment programme, as well as focus on the company’s aim of creating “careers not jobs.”
Sam Fearnley-Egerton has over 16 years’ experience in people-focused roles and will now focus on attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry at IMA-HOME, as well as nurturing its Early Careers initiative to foster home grown talent.
Fearnley-Egerton said: “I’m really looking forward to making a return to the agency world, working with talented, passionate and creative experts. IMA-HOME is an ambitious business, committed to engaging and developing people. It’s an exciting time to join and we have a great opportunity here to continue refining the People Strategy. Ensuring we have a world class offering and are an outstanding place to work and grow.”
This is the second recent hire into the People Team, with in-house Talent Acquisition Manager Ella Earnshaw-Kennedy coming on board in April.
The agency is expecting significant growth in its digital, media, social and content teams. There will also be a keen focus in future on creating strong bases in North America and Australasia, so the type of people the agency is seeking is sure to evolve too.
Nickii Gray, chief exec partner at IMA-HOME, said: “We have an enviable client portfolio that gives our team access to world-class briefs, daily. We believe in providing the same opportunities and experiences to everyone that walks through the door, whether they choose to stay and grow with us, or learn, and move on. Either way we are able to provide career-boosting experience that is unrivalled in the North.”
IMA-HOME has eight offices in six territories, and employs over 370 staff in the UK alone.
