Former Lexis CEO Margot Raggett has this week announced the launch of a new venture, Naked Emperor. Her new firm will offer ‘straightforward’ business advice and PR consultancy to agencies and clients alike.
Raggett, who worked at Lexis for 18 years before quitting earlier this summer, said: “I think the opportunity is there to offer support to and advice for agencies in a new way. Many firms don’t want to commit to on-going non-executive relationships and yet have a real need for extra senior management experience and bandwidth from time to time.
“On the client side, many companies wish they could access just the most experienced brains in an agency for strategic advice but end up being tied into buying the traditional layered agency structure. I intend to offer something different.”
Initially Naked Emperor will just be selling Margot’s time but in the future she intends to offer a range of highly experienced consultants to her clients, with expertise ranging from finance to HR, marketing to new business, as well as PR strategy. “I believe there are many people out there who like me, have worked for many years in consultancy, have a lot to offer and yet want to work in a different, more flexible way and I think there are clients who want to buy them. I’ve set Naked Emperor up in order to facilitate that.”
As part of the launch, Margot becomes an Associate of Pembridge Partners, which is a team of entrepreneurs and investors that help businesses grow and ultimately realise value for stakeholders. Former Text 100 co-founder and Pembridge Partner Mark Adams said : “The addition of Margot to the Pembridge team is invaluable. Her experience of initiating an MBO and then seeing that through to subsequent sale (to Next Fifteen) means she is in the perfect position to advise others.”
Additionally, the PRCA has named Naked Emperor as a partner. Francis Ingham, director general, PRCA commented, “As a former board director of the PRCA, we know that Margot has the experience and expertise to add real value to any of our members who choose to work with her. We’re delighted to have her as a partner.”
Margot’s former boss, Lexis co-founder and current chairman of Three Monkeys Bill Jones said: “Margot represents the next generation of business advisors to the PR industry. She knows what it takes to run a successful consultancy and she’s as good at the business-side as she is a client handler. Whether she’s advising agencies or clients, I’m sure she’ll do well.”