New managing director at JFD.

Camargue’s design and digital business, JFD, is welcoming a new managing director with Louise Mortimer joining the team today (2 March). 

Louise joins to shape a new chapter for JFD. She takes over from founder James Ford who will step into a newly-created role as Business Development Director (Racing & Bloodstock). Louise joins from rbl Brand Agency where she was head of client services. 

Ben Copithorne, managing director at Camargue, said: “Our business is evolving and Louise coming in to head our digital and design team is another step in that strategy. At a time when creative and impactful design has never been more important and the pace of innovation never faster, we’re pleased to welcome Louise into our business to refresh our digital and design proposition and take JFD forward.” 

Louise Mortimer, new managing director at JFD, said: “I’ve admired JFD and Camargue for a long time and know the quality of the team’s work. Having the opportunity to step in and lead that team is a fabulous prospect and I’m excited to be joining the business. I’m looking forward to working with James and the wider management team and optimistic for what we can achieve.” 

James Ford, founder of JFD and new Business Development Director (Racing & Bloodstock), said: “When we created JFD in the 1990s we were young, ambitious, and eager to make our mark. Through four decades we have delivered creative, high-impact design that’s aligned to client goals and added tremendous value across hundreds of campaigns. I couldn’t be prouder to be handing over the MD seat to Louise as part of well-planned succession at JFD and the overall and intentional evolution of Camargue under employee ownership. I’m looking forward to my new role, to staying hands on in areas that reflect my passion and relationships, and to seeing JFD go from strength to strength.” 

JFD is a wholly-owned part of the Camargue group. It has 22 members of staff and provides services from brand and identity to corporate/B2B/B2C assets with a fully in-house digital design and web development team. 

Louise Mortimer joins Camargue’s group operating board and management board. James Ford is stepping away from those boards and will sit on Camargue’s trustee board. 

Within a portfolio of clients and sectors, JFD has developed a specialist capability supporting clients in the racing and bloodstock industry. These include Qipco, The Jockey Club, The Bahrain Turf Club, Tweenhills, The Al Thani Collection and others. The newly-created role of Business Development Director (Racing & Bloodstock) is designed to allow James Ford to spearhead that area of JFD’s business as part of its overall evolution and development under Louise Mortimer’s leadership.