Carat has announced the appointment of Neil Burling as managing partner for its Manchester office, effective September 2025.
The appointment represents a significant strategic move as the agency continues to build its presence outside of London. Burling brings nearly two decades of media and communications expertise to his new role, where he will oversee key client relationships including Co-op Funeralcare, Co-op Insurance, Holland & Barrett, and Greggs – all brands housed outside of London. He will report to client managing director Charles Reid and will hold seats on both Carat’s Manchester leadership team and the wider UK leadership team.
Currently managing partner and board member at PHD UK, Burling has managed some of the industry’s most prestigious accounts, including Uber, Sainsburys Group, and Volkswagen Group.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Carat at such an exciting time for both the agency and Manchester’s media landscape. The opportunity to work with established brands like Co-op, Holland & Barrett and Virgin, while being part of dentsu’s ambitious vision for their Northern operations, was too compelling to pass up. The move out of London represents not only a return to my roots (I was born and bred in Yorkshire), but recognition of Manchester’s growing influence as a media and creative powerhouse.”
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Charles Reid, client managing director at Carat’s Manchester office, added: “Neil’s appointment is a real statement of intent for our Manchester operation. His extensive experience managing complex client relationships with some of the UK’s biggest brands makes him the perfect addition to our leadership team. Manchester’s media scene continues to attract phenomenal talent like Neil, and it’s testament to the city’s growing reputation as a genuine alternative to the capital for ambitious media professionals.”
Burling will succeed Liz Chapman, who is leaving the role after 11 years to take on the newly created position of chief marketing officer with Sedulo, the Manchester-based business advisory.
Chapman has served as a trustee of their charitable foundation The Sedulo Foundation for several years, which works to alleviate the devastating effects of poverty on children and young people by providing school essentials, food vouchers, seasonal gifts, and sanitary products.
