A new leadership team has taken over at BIG Partnership in Aberdeen as founder Zoe Ogilvie steps back from the day-to-day running of the business.
BIG director Gayle Grant, who has been with the agency since 2010, is stepping up to lead the Aberdeen office, supported by a new senior leadership team comprising former account directors Shona Hendry, Richard Crighton and Pam Wilson.
Since launching the business in 2002, Ms Ogilvie has built one of the UK's most formidable public relations outfits, with 90 people across four locations in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester.
And with BIG’s Aberdeen operation on track to reach turnover of £2.5million in 2024 - thanks in part to new contracts worth £500,000 - she has decided that now is the right time to hand over the reins to a new generation of leaders.
“After 22 years of building and leading the business in Aberdeen, the time is right for me to take a step back," she said.
"Taking my foot off the gas, to a certain extent, will enable the leadership team to flourish under Gayle’s direction and drive the business to the next stage in its growth.
“I’ll still be involved in key client accounts and will be supporting Gayle and the new leadership team who, between them, have over 80 years’ industry experience.”
With 25 years’ experience, Gayle Grant was formerly head of BIG’s energy practice. A journalist for five years, she moved into technology PR in Cambridge before spending several years in a senior agency role in Manchester, leading campaigns for large-scale regeneration projects. She joined BIG’s energy team in 2010 and was appointed to the board in 2020.
Shona Hendry, a senior news journalist and experienced press officer who joined BIG in 2007, has moved into the newly-created role of head of PR to direct and deliver strategic planning of campaigns, largely in the corporate and consumer sectors.
Having worked in BIG’s energy team for 11 years, Richard Crighton has been appointed head of energy where he will lead growth across renewables and energy transition clients.
Pam Wilson, a former broadcast journalist and BBC radio producer who has been with BIG since 2013, has taken up the role of head of media relations – international, supporting BIG’s growing portfolio of global clients.
BIG’s CEO, Allan Barr, added: "Gayle has been a proven leader in our business for many years and, alongside her senior team, I am confident she will drive both the office and our overall business forward. We are also very pleased that Zoe will remain an integral part of our future success."
Ms Grant added: “I’m proud to lead our superb Aberdeen team, bringing fresh insights and strategies to our diverse clients. BIG is a very well-established name in the city and we have built a track record for delivering results across the marketing mix, building brands, influencing, and protecting reputations.
“I’m thankful to Zoe for her mentorship and guidance over the years and look forward to getting after the growth opportunities ahead.”