Former Weber MD Jo Leah launches the little big agency

Jo Leah, who recently stepped down as MD of Weber Shandwick Manchester after two decades at the helm, is opening a new Manchester-based comms firm called the little big agency.

The little big agency will focus on building reputations for companies, brands, people and places through strategic comms, consultation and activation.  Leah has initially invested private funds in the start-up, which currently has a staff of four.

Leah says she has established collaborations in place with other “entrepreneur-driven businesses” across England and Wales, as well as an agreement with littleBIG Marketing & PR in Melbourne, which was founded by Sally Harley 10 years ago.

The little big agency will open with several clients in the food and drink sector, and Leah is currently looking at a place making brief.

As well as her role as MD of Weber Shandwick Manchester, Leah was also chair of English Regions and Wales for the agency. She says she wants to continue her connections with academic institutions across England and Wales and is keen to add a non-executive role to the portfolio.

“My time with Weber was done but I wasn’t quite! It’s a great time to be a woman opening a business in my 50s with the benefit of 30 years in MD posts behind me and the experience of managing senior client relationships for over 25 years.”

“I simply want to carry on working in a sector I love, in cities I love, in a country I care about and to use my skills and experience to assist brands, business leaders and their businesses to manage their reputations in an increasingly challenging environment.”