The deal is the culmination of a plan started in 2012 and sees fellow director Dave Greenwood take a minority stake as part of the buyout. Stephen and Karen Browne, the agency’s existing owners, retain a minority stake with Karen taking on a new role as chairman.
Anita said: “I’m delighted to have completed a management buyout of William Murray. Whilst we can be proud of our achievements so far, we have big plans for the future.
“William Murray is an agency with a great history and fantastic reputation for being the UK’s specialist food, drink and hospitality agency.
“Over the last two decades the agency has grown substantially and we’ve adapted our offer to include digital, copywriting and marketing. We have an exciting journey ahead and I’m looking forward to the future.”
Founded in 1989, today the agency has 25 employees and last year, William Murray’s fee income grew 15% to £2.2m.
The agency’s clients include Unilever Food Solutions, UCC Coffee UK & Ireland, Quorn, The Ascott Limited, Santa Maria, Elior, BRITA and is a rostered agency for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).