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    06

    Jun 2023

    Last Updated: 07/06/2023
    Business
    Business

    Knaresborough's ex-crime commissioner sells marketing firm

    by John Plummer

    | 06 Jun, 2023
    Comment

    0

    pr75a-mike-lewis-philip-allott
    Mike Lewis (left) and Philip Allott

    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.”