AFTER 25 years at the top, Lawton Group managing director and founder Mike Lawton has stepped down in order to spend more time with his family.

After a quarter of a century he moves to the position of "founder" and hands over the day-to-day running of the business to Jeff Ware.

But, as the major shareholder, he retains his position on the board.

Formerly the deputy managing director and with 20 years in the business, Jeff is the brains behind LawtonWare, the group's recruitment marketing division.

On stepping down Mike said: "I've worked with Jeff for the past 20 years and we've shared the pleasure of watching the business grow and develop. Initially, Jeff was very focused on establishing LawtonWare - the Group's recruitment marketing division - but in recent years, as deputy managing director, his role has encompassed a much broader remit.

"Continued growth is very much on the agenda and Jeff has a considerable challenge ahead of him."

Jeff said: "The success of the Lawton Group over the past 25 years is the direct result of the sum of its parts. Focusing our strengths on niche sectors has elevated us to a position where we compete nationally and internationally - Lawton eMarketing is ranked fourth among the UK's digital agencies, with LawtonWare among the top 15 UK recruitment marketing agencies.

"With Lawton Advertising and Lawton Public Relations continuing to grow their blue chip client base, we are a hothouse of energy, creativity and innovation, offering specialist niche services as well as fully integrated marketing and communications solutions - ingredients that deliver powerful, results-driven campaigns for our clients."