Ruddocks Reshapes Creative Leadership

Ruddocks Strengthens Leadership to Support Client Partnerships and Creative Growth

Lincoln-based creative production agency Ruddocks has announced a series of strategic leadership changes designed to strengthen client relationships, embed creativity across the business, and support the company’s next stage of growth as it marks 140 years in operation.

The move sees long-standing Creative Director Ian Cant take on the newly created role of Client Services Director, while Andy Clayton steps into the Creative Services Director role, leading the agency’s design and creative consultancy teams.

These changes reflect both the evolution of the business and a long-term commitment to putting creative thinking at the heart of client partnerships.

Founded as a local print business, Ruddocks has grown into a full-service creative production agency, with its design studio now accounting for a significant proportion of overall revenue. Established in the 1990s, the studio has become central to the company’s offering, supporting clients across brand strategy, marketing, and creative consultancy.

Ian Cant has led the studio for 17 years, playing a pivotal role in shaping its creative direction and culture. In his new role as Client Services Director, he will focus on supporting Ruddocks’ client relationship and development team, strengthening partnerships with existing clients and helping new clients realise the full breadth of the agency’s capabilities.

“Ian has always approached creativity as a way of helping people achieve their objectives,” said Paul Banton, Managing Director at Ruddocks. “Whether mentoring teams or working alongside clients, his focus on collaboration, insight and shared goals makes him ideally placed to lead our client services.”

Commenting on the move, Ian Cant said:

“This new role is a very positive step, both for me personally and for the business. It allows us to continue building strong partnerships, helping clients achieve their objectives and get the very best from Ruddocks, while also supporting the people and culture that make us who we are.”

As Ian moves into client services, Andy Clayton takes on leadership of the creative studio as Creative Services Director. Andy has spent more than a decade leading brand strategy and marketing at Ruddocks and has been instrumental in developing key creative relationships with organisations including British Steel, the NHS, Greencore, Visit Lincoln and the University of Lincoln.

Alongside his client work, Andy has played a significant role in recruitment, mentoring and professional development across the business, supporting colleagues, work experience students and clients alike.

In his new role, Andy will build on the studio’s strong foundations, continuing to develop Ruddocks’ creative consultancy offer and ensuring creativity remains central to every part of the business.

“These leadership changes strengthen the connection between client services and creative delivery,” Paul Banton added. “They support the development of our people and ensure we remain relevant, agile and competitive in a changing marketplace.”

The appointments mark another milestone in Ruddocks’ long history and form part of a wider strategic plan to support sustainable growth and long-term client partnerships as the business looks ahead to its next chapter.

Discover more about Ruddocks, its heritage and the people shaping the business