Shock at Naked as founding partner Adam Ferrier resigns while BWM’s Carl Ratcliff takes CEO role

In major moves at Naked Communications, Global Head of Behavioural Sciences, and local co-founder Adam Ferrier has announced his resignation, while former BWM Melbourne managing director Carl Ratcliff is joining the agency as CEO.

Says Ferrier (left): “I am incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved at Naked, here and around the world. We created a wonderful working environment and we’ve produced oodles of world class, recognized and effective work for our amazing clients. Personally and professionally the time is right for me to leave Naked and pursue a new adventure which I’ll be announcing shortly. I represent the first phase of Naked – my leaving will give the new management team some fresh air to create Naked next. I’m excited that Carl has accepted the role as CEO – I’ve had numerous chats with Carl recently, and he is no question the right man for the job. I wish him and Naked all the best.”

Says Matthew Melhuish, CEO of Enero: “We thank Adam for his hard work and tremendous dedication to Naked. He’s been instrumental in building one of the most powerful brands in the Australian marketing and communications landscape. We wish Adam all the very best for his next adventure.”

With a career spanning twenty years, Ratcliff brings a broad range of experience to Naked having led planning, creative and agency teams at TBWA\London and Elvis UK plus working client side at British TV network Channel 5. Most recently he had a successful stint as managing director of BWM, Melbourne. Ratcliff will be relieving Tim Parker, who has been acting CEO of Naked Australia since July.

Says Melhuish: “Carl has the perfect set of credentials to run Naked Australia. He’s proven that he can lead a winning team and deliver outstanding results for clients plus he brings with him a fresh perspective and an internationally recognized track record for ground-breaking, innovative work. Carl is a great cultural fit for Naked but has also commercially ‘cut his teeth’ in the Australian market doing a great job at BWM. Carl will join the Naked team in early November.

“We also sincerely thank Tim Parker for stepping into the fold at short notice in July and for his professionalism and stewardship of Naked over the past few months. Tim is a class act and we are looking at other ways to deploy him within the Enero group.”

Other key Naked Australia leaders remain in place including Karla Pritchard – Managing Director Sydney, Tom Ward – Managing Director Melbourne and Simon Veksner – Creative Director.