26 Jan 2023
Explore other reviews about Ferrier Pearce
5.0
9 Sept 2016
Former employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook
Pros
A forward thinking employer, with generous benefits package. Investor in People accredited and a commitment to developing their team. I joined in 2010 and have seen Ferrier Pearce go through a considerable growth period. I started at the company on a part time basis, and saw lots of opportunity for personal development. Originally Ferrier Pearce, which is part of Ferrier Pearce Creative Group delivered marketing communications to a range of sectors, including pensions and property. Since then, Key was formed, a property marketing specialist brand. Leaving Ferrier Pearce to concentrate on employee communications. I worked on both sides of the business, learning a lot from both Nigel and Jon as I progressed. I was able to pursue a digital marketing qualification during my time with Ferrier Pearce.
Cons
I don't think this can be seen as a downside, but you do need to have a work hard ethic and to be driven. The opportunities are plentiful and you are supported to develop decision making, negotiating and collaborative skills. I don't consider the staff changes a negative, there was a relocation of office from Caterham to London and businesses need to evolve to have a presence for years to come.
1.0
15 Feb 2016
Former employee, more than 1 year
London, England
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook
Pros
High staff attrition means lots of new faces Jon and Hannah do really know their subject matter, and are true experts in their field Small company feel where you know everyone
Cons
FP is a small print and pensions documentation agency, trying to grasp digital for the past 10 years. FP have had limited Pensions print success in the past. Nigel Ferrier (the ‘F’ in FP, title : "Executive Chairman of the Group” is very much the King of the Castle, everyone reports into Nigel effectively. Nigel has a mantra : make the company seem bigger than it is”. In his defence, Nigel likes joining in, unfortunately this tends to have the effect of disempowering, in a classic ’top-down’ management style. Jon Pearce (the ‘P’ in FP), is a solid pensions professional through and through. Pensions is the reason FP exists, and holds the company up. Counterintuitively, Jon has the title “Group Creative Director”. Jon is not a creative, Jon is purely pensions. Nigel makes all the decisions, as Jon is Nigel’s junior. Worth noting the executive management style makes for a muted, slightly awkward office atmosphere. Employees are required to write social media updates from their 'company/personal' social media accounts on a rota, the execution of this really shows grasp of digital. Creative work is based on stock photography. Digital outsourced to Poland, so cross-pollination limited. Expertise is in print documentation and business cards, which FP are quite established at delivering.
2
Ferrier Pearce Response
9yFerrier Pearce always appreciates and values constructive reviews, both positive and negative, and takes all criticism on board. As part of our Investor in People accreditation we have an open management style which enables members of the team to feel comfortable to feedback to their line managers or the Management Board any concerns and comments.
We feel that a response to this review is necessary as it frequently strays from the reality of working at Ferrier Pearce.
The reviewer suggests we have no grasp of digital which couldn't be further from the truth. We have a dedicated team of ten digital specialists. We have won numerous digital awards for excellence, the most recent being for a website produced for the Royal Mail pension scheme. Furthermore, the reviewer suggests all our digital work is out-sourced to Poland and whilst it is true that our development team are based in Poland, they are experts employed directly by Ferrier Pearce and work solely for us and are completely integrated into the Ferrier Pearce family.
We are taken aback by the comment that Jon Pearce is not a creative person as again this could not be further from the truth. Jon is a fully qualified designer to degree level and beyond with many years of relevant experience to call upon. Jon combines his wealth of pensions knowledge with his creative expertise to direct and enhance the company's offering in the pensions sector.
The suggestion that we are "a small old fashioned print agency" and "experts in print documentation and business cards" is not only insulting but laughable as again our industry awards and our standing within the creative industry would not be sustainable if we weren't at the top of our game. We have won many awards for our creativity including two design business awards, two digital impact awards, voted European pensions communications consultancy two years running, listed as a Drum elite agency, ranked highly on RAR and, most recently, we have been voted a top digital London agency and a leading agency in the Design Week rankings.
The comments regarding staff attrition were valid as the reviewer is referring to the period immediately after a significant location from Surrey to central London. As with any relocation there is bound to be a period of uncertainty as the new location will not suit everyone.
Ferrier Pearce has found this review extremely concerning, however, it has to be stressed that the reviewer claims to have held the post of Production Manager within Ferrier Pearce for a year which is a role that has never existed within the company.