BFCS, one of London’s most successful and longest-standing commercials
production companies, has parted company with its managing director, Ann
Pugsley.
The production house has brought in Peter Harrison, formerly head of
television at Ogilvy and Mather for 20 years. He has been with Ray
Rathborne Films since February.
Harrison, who was asked to join BFCS on Monday and moved into the
company’s offices the same day, has been briefed to ‘take the company in
a new direction’. This entails raising the profile of its directors
other than the long-established Derek Coutts and Mike Seresin. They are
John O’Donnell, Phil Jude, Rod Waskett and Geoff Darling. The company
also represents Alan Parker, when he is available.
‘I am here to make BFCS a very enjoyable place to work, and to get its
output shown around town,’ Harrison said. ‘I really am very happy to
sell and promote all of the directors and, with a company like this, I
can knock on any door.’
Pugsley was made managing director two years ago after John Cigarini
chose to focus on BFCS’s Los Angeles office. Since then, she has
overseen a period of change at the company, including the arrival of
Coutts (Campaign, 1 July 1994).
Seresin put her departure down to a disagreement over the future
direction of the company. ‘Ultimately, we agreed to disagree,’ he said.