James Backhurst

Creative Director

I come from a family of engineers. My Great Grandfather invented one of the first electric washing machines, and my Grandfather helped NASA build parts for the Apollo Moon Missions, as well as helping with Rolls Royce and Concord engines. So, solving problems and inspiring people through great ideas and design is the driving force behind my life and what I love to do.

Prior to setting up The Allotment 9 years ago, I was a Design Director at Elmwood for 16 years where I helped set up the creative offer in the London Office.

My role as Creative Director is focused on managing our great team, to deliver ideas that tell compelling stories, which in-turn grow the commercial success of the businesses I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

These include: The Met Office, BP, Deutsche Bank, QFC, BCLP, BBC Comic Relief, 3i, ASDA, Hanson, ICI, NCR, Opera North, Richardson Sheffield, Yorkshire Water, Vaux Breweries, RAC, COI, Royal Mail, B&Q, London City Airport, Optal, Imperial War Museum, Anglian Water, Lucite International, DFS, Incorporated Society of Musicians, The Donkey Sanctuary to name a few.

james@theallotmentbranddesign.com

Paul Middlebrook

Managing Director

I have always been inspired by simple, beautiful design that is intuitive, has true meaning and connects emotionally in some way.

My passion for design and wholehearted belief in the commercial advantage it offers to organisations has been shaped by a business degree and early client-side marketing roles at an automotive component manufacturer and leading media owner. Here I was directly involved in developing big ideas, which could translate effectively into single-minded campaigns able to create powerful step-change results for major brands. Appreciating the transformational qualities of design, I transferred to agency-side and gained valuable experience working on some of the world’s most exciting global brands at Sampson Tyrrell (now Superunion), part of WPP, and at Elmwood, one of the world’s most effective, award-winning design consultancies.

As the managing director and a founder of The Allotment, my purpose and dedication is to help our clients’ businesses grow. Starting with developing absolute clarity – understanding our client, their business and its challenge – we work together to translate customer insight and business strategy into creative ideas that can achieve outstanding commercial results.