The fresh Group has appointed Patrick Howells as managing director. He has been with the company since 2006 and was previously the agency’s business development director and more recently, client services director.

The Cheadle-based agency is expected to exceed net profits of £1m for this financial year after seeing what it calls “rapid and profitable” growth over the past seven years.

Julie Besbrode, CEO of fresh Group, said: “Patrick was the outstanding candidate to take the business forward in these incredibly exciting times. He is a true professional and likeable individual who has worked tirelessly since 2006 to help make fresh the profitable, award winning business it is today - he fully deserves this appointment.”

Chairman Nick Porter added: “Patrick’s vision for the future fits our strategy and it has been well received by everyone at fresh. We look forward to helping him and the team drive the business forward”.

Pictured: Patrick Howells