Gary Neville has added Manchester-based digital agency e3creative to his expanding business portfolio.
Following a string of investments in the hotel and hospitality industry, the former Manchester United and England football star is tackling a new challenge - the digital industry - having just bought a 50 per cent share in e3creative.
This addition to Neville’s portfolio is an important part of his plan to digitally support his ongoing projects including Hotel Football, The Stock Exchange and St Michaels.
Neville said: "We have been on the lookout for some time now for the right digital agency to invest in as we want to embed creative and digital at the heart of our business and our projects.
"After meeting several agencies, it was immediately obvious that e3creative were the right choice for us and thankfully Jake and the team were excited about what we were looking to achieve.
"Our plan is now to fully integrate e3creative into our activities and at the same time assist them in achieving the success to which they aspire and that their hard work deserves.”
Created in 2010 e3creative has already built a strong reputation for being disruptive in the creative and digital space producing digital solutions for clients, including Ascot, O2, and Stonewall, that has led to a number of industry awards.
Managing director Jake Welsh said: "Gary and his team joining the business is a huge milestone for the agency - we have very ambitious plans and this has given us the extra resource, knowledge, confidence and ability to start putting this into action.
"As an agency we have gained respect from peers and clients worldwide for our thought leadership, intuitive digital thinking and the way in which we approach our works.
"As a business, our teams within the walls of the agency are what make everything possible - everyone within e3creative is incredibly excited with what the future holds and we are delighted for everyone on board.”
e3creative has gone from strength to strength over the last five years, having just surpassed the £1.1m turnover mark last year.
With Neville’s financial backing, and range of high profile projects for the agency to service, the upward trend is set to continue.
Since quitting as right back for Manchester United, Neville has flexed his business muscle in the city.
Plans include the redevelopment of Bootle Street police station with former teammate Ryan Giggs and backed by Far East funders.
Singapore-based Rowsley Ltd is backing the vehicle Neville and Giggs set up to transform land off Deansgate, between Jackson’s Row, Bootle Street and Southmill Street.
As well as the recently opened Hotel Football Neville is a pundit for Sky Sports and a coach of the England football team.
The ex-Manchester United captain also plans to transform the Stock Exchange building in Manchester city centre. He recently signed a deal with the council and a social housing provider to help homeless people who had been using the Grade II-listed building.
SOURCE: Manchester Evening News
