My cloak and dagger marketing coup

It’s ironic that Ian Millner's marketing group Iris Worldwide, which now turns over £30m a year, has rather cloak-and-dagger origins…

"Our business is built on trust," says 39-year-old Ian Millner, chief executive of marketing group Iris Worldwide. "If people trust you, they give you good opportunities." So it's ironic that Iris, which now turns over £30m a year, has rather cloak-and-dagger origins. In 1999, Millner had been working for marketing giant IMP for six years, and was frustrated with the limitations of working in a large organisation.

Several of his friends felt the same way so they decided to set up their own agency. "We went to see Ericsson, one of IMP's biggest clients, and said What if we were to pick the very best people, and work for you in a way that was quicker, better and cheaper? Would you back us?'."

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Jody Clarke

Jody studied at the University of Limerick and was a senior writer for MoneyWeek. Jody is experienced in interviewing, for example digging into the lives of an ex-M15 agent and quirky business owners who have made millions. Jody’s other areas of expertise include advice on funds, stocks and house prices.