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Capital gains are Wonderstuff for NE brand experts

A North East brand and design consultancy is to open a London office to service its growing raft of UK-wide clients.

Wonderstuff, who has also just moved into new, larger premises in Newcastle, taking on new staff at the same time, will install one of its long-standing brand consultants, Merlin Duff, as the head of its new London office.

One of Wonderstuff’s major London-based clients include New River Retail Ltd, a Mayfair-based retail property management organisation, with £912m of assets in shopping centres, retail warehouses and high street property in its portfolio.

For 25-year-old Duff, who joined Wonderstuff three years ago, it marks a major opportunity to establish himself and Wonderstuff in London, which will be based at the distinctive No1 Euston Square development, while simultaneously undertaking his masters in Brand Strategy at Brunel University in the capital.

Wonderstuff owner, Paul Alderson, said: “The first half of 2015 has seen a rapid period of growth for us, culminating in the move to new Newcastle offices last month and the opening of our London operations this week.

“Our Newcastle location, on the corner of Salters Road and Gosforth High Street, offers us great visibility and the space to both grow the team and to service clients in the way we need as a progressive brand consultancy.

“The move into London comes at a time where we’re looking to not only improve our clients understanding of the importance of brand, but ensure we also keep learning, as individuals and as a collective.

“Many things have aligned at a perfect time. Giving Merlin the opportunity to not only further his understanding and take the reins in London shows true long term commitment to developing the team here.”

And joining the team in July is Karl Bell, a 31-year-old senior designer who specialises in packaging and print, and Thea Van der Velde, who joins Wonderstuff as a Studio Manager. Both will operate from the Newcastle offices.