Integrated communications agency Social has promoted Ben Lowndes to managing director of its South West business following another year of growth for its Bristol office and its wider group of companies.
The move comes as the agency completes another year of profitable growth during which its turnover has risen to £2.6m. 
Ben, pictured, established Social’s South West division in 2017, having previously worked for the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) in Bristol and city-based PR agencies JBP and Newgate Communications (formerly PPS), where he worked on communications and PR campaigns for major housing and regeneration projects across the South of England.
The office has since grown to secure a roster of 14 clients while increasing its turnover to £470,000 this year.
To support its growth, the office has made two senior appointments, with former national journalists Rob Stewart and Tori Madine, pictured, joining the team to support clients across Social’s growing portfolio of campaigns and media relations activity.
They work alongside Freddie Palmer and Michael Vivona, who lead the Bristol-based team’s stakeholder engagement and community relations work.
Ben said: “This year has been characterised by challenge, change and progress, and I’ve been proud of how we’ve responded to support each other and our clients. 
“It’s a hell of a time to start a new role, and we have a tremendously talented team in place which leaves me very confident about our plans for next year.”
Ben and colleague Diana MacCarthy, who has also been promoted to managing director of Social’s Manchester business, worked together alongside the agency’s founder John Quinton Barber before Ben moved to the South West in 2010.
John Quinton Barber said: “Di and Ben’s promotion to managing director positions within their respective business units is brilliant news.
“We are creating a business that really invests in colleague progression and I’m thrilled for Di and Ben, who have grasped the opportunity to grow our business across Greater Manchester and Bristol with both hands.”
Social’s work revolves around six key pillars including its built environment proposition Social Place alongside Social Care, its social value arm Social Good, Social Lab strategic consultancy, professional services specialism and its creative services portfolio.
Its South West clients include family-owned housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel, This is Gravity in Somerset, The Ernest Cook Trust and Places for People.
