A Sunderland-based communications agency has kick-started the next phase of its growth by forming a strategic alliance with an established recruitment agency.
Narrative Integrated Communications has announced plans to make up to eight senior appointments in the next two years in line with anticipated growth projections. The firm has taken the first step on that journey by teaming up with well-known professional services recruitment consultancy, Newcastle-based GEM Partnership.
GEM will help Narrative to attract the best possible talent across a range of marketing specialisms including PR, advertising, creative and digital. Already underway is the search for a new PR Director to head up the PR division, which has won several new clients including cost management specialist Great Annual Savings Group, Redcar & Cleveland College and affordable homes provider Four Housing.
Narrative also aims to make other senior positions available in its digital, creative, advertising and strategic marketing teams.
The partnership with GEM follows a prosperous year for Narrative, which has grown on the back of high-profile account wins and increased staff numbers to 16. Last month the agency rebranded as Narrative to reposition itself as one of the North East’s only true full-service, fully integrated agencies.
Kieron Goldsborough, who took over as Narrative MD following a management buy-out in 2014, said: “Following a great 12 months, which has seen us pick up several new clients, we now need to attract top quality talent and the partnership with GEM will allow us to achieve this.
“With its excellent market knowledge and strategic ability, GEM is perfectly placed to help us appoint several senior people who can take the company to the next level.
GEM specialises in hiring talent for several key industry sectors, including engineering, logistics, IT, sales and marketing. Launched in 2009, the company has expanded rapidly and currently operates out of three offices in Newcastle, Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe.
Lee Rankin, MD of GEM, said: “Over the past six years we’ve forged a great reputation on the back of our strong client relationships. Working on a long-term basis with Narrative will allow us to understand their business goals, which in turn will enable us to find the perfect mix of people and skills to help the company grow.”