Hurrell and Dawson set up agency

Nick Hurrell, M&C Saatchi Europe chairman, and Neil Dawson, chairman of TBWA/London, are quitting their agencies to set up a start-up. The agency, to be called Hurrell & Dawson, is expected to open for business next month and will be funded from their own resources….

Nick Hurrell, M&C Saatchi Europe chairman, and Neil Dawson, chairman of TBWA/London, are quitting their agencies to set up a start-up. The agency, to be called Hurrell & Dawson, is expected to open for business next month and will be funded from their own resources.

Hurrell has been with the Saatchi brothers for 21 years. He was tasked with building an international network in his latest role. Moray McLennan, UK group chairman, will add Hurrell’s international responsibilities to his new role.

Dawson’s exit comes just seven months after he was promoted from executive planning director at TBWA/London. His promotion, along with that of managing director Matt Shepherd-Smith to chief executive, filled the gaps caused by the departure of Trevor Beattie. He left in May 2005 with former TBWA senior executives Andrew McGuinness and Bill Bungay.

Hurrell and Dawson are understood to have clauses in their current contracts that prevent them poaching staff or clients for a specified period.