Carpenter (pictured), who is currently deputy managing director, co-founded the consultancy with Tom Simpson in 1998, having both previously worked at Harris.

“I have been thinking about retiring for three or four years and we, as an agency, have been preparing for it for the past 18 months,” said Carpenter. “My clients have now met colleagues who will be working with them on future projects, so it will be a very smooth transition.

“I will miss the challenge of work and of course my colleagues, in particular, Tom with whom I have worked closely and enjoyably for more than thirty years. I have a series of retirement projects and trips planned, however, that will keep me busy for the foreseeable future.”