Architect Alex Ritchie has quit Blu, the brand positioning and events design group he co-founded some 18 months ago, to join global events specialist Jack Morton Worldwide.
Ritchie joined Jack Morton’s London office on Monday as creative head of branded exhibitions and environments. The new role marks the New York-based group’s move into brand experience and follows collaborations between Jack Morton’s European office and Blu, says Ritchie.
He was attracted by “a big organisation” – it bought Caribiner Communications in April. “Blu is in its second year and will do well, but does not have clients of the same magnitude as Jack Morton,” he says. “In London, Jack Morton is trying to push itself as a creative company.”
He aims to build a team of six or seven designers. The group already has a graphics department, and has just appointed two new creative directors, Simon Lethbridge and Jonathan Swabey.
Ritchie is in the process of winding up his shareholding in Blu, which he left three weeks ago. His shares will be divided between Blu co-founders Owen Snee and Stuart Taylor. He will “introduce projects to Blu”, he says.
According to Snee, it’s “business as usual” at the seven-strong Blu. Current projects include work with TVc for HSBC’s Partners for London venture and the Interpretation Gallery at the National History Museum’s Darwin Centre.
- Design disciplines in this article
- Industries in this article
- Brands in this article
