Manchester-based CGI studio Visual Method has appointed the former managing partner of Hangar Seven as non-executive chairman as it gears up for expansion in the UK and across Europe.
Jeremy Middleton, who joins having taken a “substantial” minority equity stake, was the managing partner at Leeds-based Hangar Seven before its sale to The Hut Group in April 2017. Prior to that he had headed up Media Square plc.
Visual Method was founded by directors James McVitie and Vladimir Mulhem in 2010 and produces still and moving CGI imagery for clients in advertising, marketing, product design and architecture.
It now employs more than 50 people across the UK, Denmark, Austria and Bulgaria.
McVitie said: “CGI offers flexibility and cost control that’s simply no longer available in more traditional production techniques. The technology which we’ve pioneered gives our clients a real competitive edge, helping to bring products to market more quickly, with unlimited creative freedom and reduced real term costs.
“We are delighted to have been able to persuade Jeremy to join our team and lead the next phase of our expansion. His experience in growing Hangar Seven from nothing to more than £15 million of sales in under seven years will be invaluable in delivering on our potential.”
He’s hoping to double the size of Visual Method by 2020, with sales increasing four-fold over the same period.
Middleton added: “Visual Method has developed a number of bespoke tools and techniques that enable it to both advise clients and produce industry leading CGI content.
“The connection between thought and deed shortens timelines and reduces costs. CGI production is infinitely flexible, and its pure digital form lends itself to rapid re-engineering that delivers deep personalisation for consumers.”
Also joining the board is Dimitar Dimitrov as production director of the company’s principal production studios in Sofia.
