Start Sells StartJG Hong Kong to Fitch
LONDON, October 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Independent customer experience design consultancy Start announces the acquisition of StartJG Hong Kong by Fitch. The acquisition comes as Start's key hubs in the UK and Middle East focus on providing digital technologies and enhanced customer experience design-led solutions to global clients via these "centres of excellence".
StartJG Hong Kong, founded in 2009 by Managing Director Jonathan Cummings, won Hong Kong's Brand Consultancy of the Year award in 2014. Cummings and General Manager Cally Williams will join Fitch's senior leadership team for South East and North Asia.
Cummings said: "With Start's support we've grown to 40-strong and are a recognised leader in the region. This acquisition lets us further expand our offer. Speaking on behalf of the team, I can say that we are enormously excited about the future."
Start President, Mike Curtis said: "We're pleased to conclude this acquisition with Fitch, a business I know well having begun my career with them in 1988. Jonathan and team have achieved a great deal. We're pleased with the part Start's played in the business growth, and wish Fitch Hong Kong every success."
With a track record in digital transformation and customer experience design for brands Adidas, Barclays and Virgin, Start will focus on growing its global partnerships through a more expanded portfolio of design-led solutions; investing further in technology to offer a cloud-based collaborative work platform and enabling greater levels of access to its specialist core design skills and consultancy services.
Curtis added: "Clients need more direct access to expert teams. We believe our future lies in smarter working practices regardless of location. Start's Connected Retail Platform already offers brands remote collaborative working environments. These tangible solutions allow our clients to develop closer, more insightful, relationships with their customers. We absolutely see this as indicative of smarter working. Now in our 20th year, it's time for a smarter Start."
Kevin Gill, Start UK CEO, added: "The UK is a recognised leader of design excellence, and our centrepiece of world class design talent. Our Dubai location has grown into a strategic gateway, and it's from here that our new model is emerging."
About Start
Start is an independent, global design consultancy with multi-skilled teams and cross-channel expertise. Start helps clients achieve competitive advantage by defining and designing solutions to improve customer experience.
More information:
Contact: Rachel O'Rourke, +44(0)20-7269-0101, [email protected]
SOURCE Start
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