Paver Smith converts to an LLP

Paver Smith PR has today converted to a Limited Liability Partnership and appointed Jon Brown as its first managing partner.

Brown, formerly the agency's head of strategy, enjoyed a distinguished career in regional journalism, including five years as Deputy and Acting Editor of the Liverpool Echo, before setting up Factory Communications in 2006. Paver Smith acquired his PR agency in 2008.

Dougal Paver, the agency's former managing director, has overseen the creation of the LLP.

He said: "Jon was the outstanding candidate to head the executive that will take our partnership forward. His management experience in the newspaper industry and establishing his own business has already proved invaluable to us and delivered some of our most significant client wins. By taking on these boardroom responsibilities Jon will also afford me the opportunity to oversee a number of key areas for business growth."

Directors Rachel Smith and Martyn Best, who is Deputy President of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants, remain on the board and also assume Senior Partner roles alongside Dougal Paver.

Smith is heading up Paver Smith's strategic communications and public consultation business - identified by the agency as one of the key areas for growth as the property community comes to terms with the government's localism agenda.

Martyn Best will oversee all financial matters for the new LLP. The management team is completed by Chris Hulme, Helen Strother and Jane Woodhead, who have all acquired equity and become Partners of the new LLP. Tom Taylor, the agency's head of creative, is also made a Partner with a brief to grow that side of the business.

Former Paver Smith chairman David Heal, previously the CEO of Harrison Cowley, is Chairman of the new LLP and has also taken an equity share in the agency.

The new LLP has acquired the business of Paver Smith & Co in a pre-pack deal. The LLP has the support of Merseyside Special Investment Fund, which helped establish Paver Smith & Co following a management buyout led by Dougal Paver from Paver Downes in 2006.

Brown said: "I'm excited about the challenge ahead. It's a tough market but we have a great team here and the new boardroom and management roles lend Paver Smith LLP a robust shape to achieve secure and sustainable growth in 2011 and beyond.

"Chris, Helen, Jane and Tom add a very strong dimension to what we offer and will help the partnership deliver award-winning campaigns and provide board-level advice for businesses and organisation across the public and private sector.

"All 24 of our staff have moved over to the new LLP and we are currently recruiting for new staff in both our Manchester and Liverpool offices as a result of strong new business performance in January."