John Schumacher, managing director for the North at London-HQ’d new business and lead generation agency The Future Factory, has been made redundant after 10 years with the company.
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Schumacher spent five years in London with the firm, which works alongside agencies on business development to identify potential new opportunities, before heading up North to open its Manchester office in 2019. He has since grown the Manchester team from three at launch to 24 in late 2024 (and 25 in his departing message), as well as taking the lead on opening a second Northern branch for The Future Factory in Glasgow.
Announcing the news on LinkedIn, Schumacher, who served as a judge at the Prolific North Marketing Awards for 2024, didn’t seem too glum, although he did concede he’s “now left my sad and angry stage,” and assured his network that “the future is already shaping up to be an exciting one and I can’t wait to share details of my next venture.”
Schumacher’s statement in full read:
“What did you get for your 10 year work anniversary?
A gold watch?
Golf Clubs?
An afternoon at the Hilton for a grease down and a shi-atsu?
Well for me…it began with ‘R’ and ended in ‘edundancy’! (Having now left my sad and angry stage, I can laugh about the irony of this ‘commercial’ decision now).
For those who don’t know my story; I moved to Manchester on my own with no idea whether I could make this work and after years of sweat and toil, I’m leaving having opened 2 northern offices, 25 fantastic team members and an office culture that is second to none (which I hope won’t be compromised).
For me, the future is already shaping up to be an exciting one and I can’t wait to share details of my next venture.
For the team left behind, I am proud of you all and only hope that the torch is carried uncompromised to continue what I set out to do; fantastic people who care about service to clients and do so with honesty and integrity – all whilst having fun!
Agencies of the North, let’s grab a brew soon (no holds barred)
Future Factory… it’s been an incredible decade!”
Prolific North has contacted both Schumacher and The Future Factory for comment.
