Knaresborough’s ex-crime commissioner sells marketing firm

Former crime commissioner Philip Allott has sold a majority stake in the Knaresborough marketing firm he founded almost 30 years ago.

Allott and Associates has become part of the Breakout Media Group, a digital marketing agency based in Stockton-on-Tees, the two firms announced today.

Mr Allott will continue to be involved as a consultant but has relinquished his role as director. Breakout Media founder Mike Lewis will take charge as managing director.

Mr Allott, who set up the business with his wife Sandra in 1994, said the move was “a step into the realms of semi-retirement” although besides his consultancy role he and Sandra remain directors of Boardroom Matters, which provides data protection and legal services.

The former pupil of Knaresborough’s King James’s School has combined marketing with a career in politics, having served as leader of the Conservatives on Harrogate Borough Council and stood unsuccessfully for election as a Conservative MP five times.

He was elected North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in May 2021 but stood down in October the same year in the wake of criticism of comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

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Today’s news creates a fully integrated marketing agency serving with more than 20 staff in disciplines ranging from public relations and direct mail to social media, content marketing and SEO.

Mr Allott told the Stray Ferret he had reached an age where he wanted to wind down and the acquisition presented an opportunity “that’s good for the business and clients”.

He added:

“It’s been an honour to grow Allotts into the agency it’s become, with a very talented team and clients literally across the world from Canada to Europe, Asia to Australia.

“I’m delighted to hand over the reins to Mike as part of the succession plan and equally delighted that I’ll still be involved in the company to see where it takes the group next.”

Breakout Media aims to create a group of specialist marketing agencies covering the whole of the UK.

Mr Lewis said:

“Breakout Media has grown massively since I founded it five years ago and I’ve been looking for a PR and marketing agency with synergy and similar values to our own – and we found them in Allotts.

“This move is part of an ambitious growth strategy to make Breakout Media Group a dominant force in the UK and international marketing landscape. It’s business as usual going forward, as Allotts has a great formula for delivering for clients – and that can only be improved by the highly complementary skill sets across our teams. I can’t wait to get cracking.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate business owner donates book proceeds to charity

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

A Harrogate business owner is to donate proceeds from her book to a North Yorkshire charity.

Sarah Jones, founder of Full Circle Funerals on Skipton Road, is set to hand funds raised from her funeral self-help book Funerals Your Way to the Two Ridings Community Foundation.

Two Ridings supports charities and community groups in Harrogate and throughout North and East Yorkshire.

Ms Jones, a long-time supporter of the charity, said:

“Our funeral services have a natural role within the communities where they are based and I have always been extremely proud of the way the whole team embraces this, whether through fundraising, volunteering, partnerships or supporting events.

“By donating our 2023 book proceeds to Two Ridings Community Foundation we can help them to support lots of different hard working organisations that are meeting a need in their own communities.”

Two Ridings Community Foundation CEO Jan Garrill said: 

“We are honoured to be chosen as the recipient of this year’s book sale proceeds and incredibly grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Sarah and her team.

“The money will mean we can help even more grassroots charities and community groups to continue their vital work.”

Knaresborough marketing agency expands international clients

A Knaresborough public relations and marketing firm has secured a new international client.

Allott and Associates, specialises in industry sectors including manufacturing, packaging, technology and logistics, announced the account amid an expansion of its team in 2022.

The company has secured Maltese firm Jekson Vision as a new client and has been tasked with expanding its reach into the UK market.

The agency also won its first accounts in Canada and Japan last year, along with further expansion into the US, Europe, Asia and Australia from its Yorkshire-based head office.

Philip Allott, director of Allott and Associates, said:

“The covid lockdowns caused us to take a more creative approach to pitching and tendering processes.

“Like many businesses we made the best use of Microsoft Teams and, as this has now very much become the norm around the globe, making international connections has become easier than ever for us – and it’s easier than ever for prospective clients to connect with us too.”

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Business Breakfast: Knaresborough marketing agency makes three new appointments

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Knaresborough marketing and PR agency has announced three new appointments amid continued growth.

Allott and Associates, which has offices at Claro Chambers, has made the recruitment after securing new accounts from both UK and international companies.

Emily Evans has joined as an account manager, Beth Hamby as a PR executive and Josie Bridson as a marketing assistant.

Emily said:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Allotts team. 

“Despite these challenging times the company is going from strength to strength. I love the can-do philosophy that helps clients get the best results.”

Director Carol Rees said: 

“I’m so pleased to be welcoming Emily, Beth and Josie to Allotts and I’m confident that they will make valuable contributions to the continuing success of the agency.

“Despite the challenges both at home and abroad, we continue to invest in all aspects of the business to deliver effective and fully integrated PR and marketing campaigns, which are enabling our clients to continue winning new work in multiple market sectors.”

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Harrogate Bus Company to mark remembrance

Harrogate Bus Company has announced that its buses will adorn commemorative poppies to mark this year’s Remembrance Day.

The poppies will be prominently displayed on the front of buses on routes covering hundreds of miles every day across the Harrogate district and into West Yorkshire.

ictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.

Pictured from left are: Terry Wood, President, Royal British Legion; veterans Brian Whittaker and John Mainland; and Transdev engineers Patrick Mclaughlin and Stephen Buckley.

The company will also provide free travel on Remembrance Day this Friday (November 11) and Remembrance Sunday (November 13) to all current service personnel with forces ID, and to veterans in uniform or with their medal.

CEO of parent firm Transdev, Alex Hornby said:

“With financial challenges currently affecting many veterans and their families in the communities we serve, it’s more important than ever that we continue our support for the excellent work done by the Royal British Legion.

“We hope that by prominently showing our support for the Poppy Appeal on our buses, many of our customers will join us in contributing to this excellent cause.

“We want to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, and to support those living with the impact of conflict today. All our teams at our depots across the North are fully behind this.”

Knaresborough’s Philip Allott launches marketing book

Knaresborough man and former police commissioner Philip Allott has written a book on marketing.

Integrated Business to Business Marketing provides “a complete blueprint for success in communicating promotional messages in the digital age”.

Mr Allott, who founded PR company Allott and Associates in 1994, said the book builds on his “40 years of practical experience” of marketing.

It is written for business owners, directors and marketing managers in the UK and abroad and covers topics such as how material written for press releases can be used for social media platforms and e-newsletters.

Mr Allott is a former leader of the Conservatives on Harrogate Borough Council and a former Mayor of Knaresborough who stood unsuccessfully in several general elections for the Conservative Party.

He was elected North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in May last year but resigned in October in the wake of comments about the murder of Sarah Everard.

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Mr Allott is also the author of The Donkeyman, which was published in 2007. It talks about the life and times of his donkey-breeding father, who was known as Donkey Dave.

His new book, which is distributed by John Hunt Publishing, will be available from next month on Amazon and at Waterstones.