Avalon-Backed The Agency Unveils Managing Directors

EXCLUSIVE: Avalon-backed The Agency, which represents the likes of Russell T Davies and Sally Wainwright, has promoted Katie Haines and Judy Edmonds to run the company.

The pair become Joint MDs and will be joined by senior agents Ian Benson and Emily Hickman on the board. Agents Simon Blakey, Hannah Boulton, Jonathan Kinnersley and Katie Williams will step up to management roles, on a track to join the board in the future. 

Haines and Edmonds will effectively run the company. No one is exiting and leadership duties were previously being shared by founders Stephen Durbridge, Julia Kreitman and Bethan Evans, who will continue to work alongside the team.

The Agency was founded in 1995 and was bought by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver outfit Avalon just over four years ago. The shop reps big names including Davies, Wainwright, Andrew Haigh, Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan.

Haines reps the likes of Matthew Warchus and Lolita Chakrabarti. Edmonds joined from Lionsgate in 2012 as in-house lawyer and was promoted to director in 2017.

Haines and Edmonds said: “We are honoured to be entrusted with running The Agency and pleased to welcome Ian and Emily to the board. We’re grateful Stephen, Bethan and Julia will be on hand to offer their invaluable advice and expertise as The Agency continues in its mission to represent the best in the business.” 

Durbridge said the move is “reward for the huge contribution” of its new MDs.