Sad loss of Manchester digital pioneer Bill Daring
Bill Daring, chairman of KMP Digitata, died on 27 December following a short illness. Bill was a true pioneer in digital and on-line marketing and he will be very much missed in the Manchester digital community. KMP led the way with many top clients such as Manchester Airport and played a crucial role in the founding of both Manchester Digital and the Big Chip Awards.
Statement from KMP
KMP Statement - 1 January 2010
On Sunday morning 27 December, in peace and surrounded by his family, a pillar of the North West digital sector and one of KMP Digitata’s founders Bill Daring passed away after a short period of illness.
Bill, who retired from KMP Digitata earlier in the year, will be remembered for his significant contributions to the Manchester advertising industry during the 80’s and the North West Digital sector from 1993 onwards, right up until earlier this year when illness finally restricted him to his beloved farm in Hazel Grove.
Bill played a wider role in the regional digital arena. He contributed to Skillset and other NWDA ventures in the digital space and lectured at both Salford and MMU. He was also a great supporter of local businesses in Stockport and advocated bringing on talent from the local colleges and universities.
Following Bill’s retirement as Chairman, Jon Keefe another of KMP Digitata’s founders became CEO while Rhodri Edwards Client Services Director and Gez Daring Bill’s eldest son and Client Services Manager were both promoted to the Board of KMP Digitata. In true KMP style Bill and Jon had ensured the next generation of management had been groomed to step up to the plate. KMP Digitata completed another successful year in the challenging economic conditions and the Company has had a successful first quarter with significant new business wins in the form of clients ClearDebt and Trek America part of TUI Group plc.
Jon Keefe KMP Digitata’s CEO commented: “I will miss him as a business partner, a sparring partner and dear friend. KMP Digitata will go on from strength to strength benefiting from Bill’s skills that he passed on. But right now our thoughts are with Gez, Alan, and Alison and the rest of Bill’s family.”
Funeral Arrangements
The funeral will take place on Monday 11 January.
The Service of Remembrance will be at 2.45pm at St. Thomas’s Church in High Lane, Stockport. All are welcome. Following the service there will be a reception at The Red Lion, High Lane from 4pm.
The family ask t, High Lanehat you don’t send flowers; tributes to Bill in the form of donations to the Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) or Cancer Research UK would be greatly appreciated.
