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A Sussex communications agency that includes American Express, Virgin Atlantic, L’Oreal and Harrods among its clients has merged with an industry-leading web design, branding and marketing agency also based in Sussex.

The deal, brokered by award-winning corporate finance firm EMC, sees Michael Bell Ltd merge with Crowborough’s Judd Associates. The combined operation will be based at Michael Bell’s offices in Lewes High Street.

Nik Askaroff, who led EMC’s team advising the directors of Judd Associates, said:

“Michael Bell is a long established and greatly respected business that has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands for many years whilst Judd Associates has established a strong reputation for building engaging websites and running successful web marketing campaigns for a vast number of regional clients since its inception in 1994.

“Together they constitute a formidable combination able to offer winning and creative communications solutions to both national and international corporations and smaller, local enterprises.”

Judd Associates Director Jake Judd said:

“We are most grateful to Nik Askaroff and his EMC team for their hard work and advice throughout the negotiations. We couldn’t have done the deal without them. It’s a great move for both our staff and our clients. The combination of Judd Associates’ strong regional presence and Michael Bell’s national and International expertise offers an exciting future with accelerated growth.”

Other professional advisers working alongside EMC on behalf of Judd Associates were Abigail Owen of lawyers DMH Stallard and Chris Burgess of accountants Plummer Parsons. James Chadburn of lawyers Dean Wilson acted for Michael Bell.

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