Darren Clare has completed a management buy-out of Portfolio — the full service creative design and marketing agency he part-founded 22 years ago.

Originally created by Clare in 1995, the Bolton-based agency has been operating as an autonomous part of the Delineo group since 2006.

Clare says the move secures Portfolio’s creative independence, though it will be business as usual for the agency’s roster of clients.

“The decision has come at the right time for both parties. We have had a great working relationship with Delineo for the past 11 years but Portfolio has always been my passion and I am delighted to have taken back total control,” says Clare.

“Ever since we started we’ve believed in taking a straight-talking, common-sense approach to design and marketing as well as trying to make high quality agency work accessible to businesses large and small – and that won’t change.

“In fact, if anything we’ve even more passion and more flexibility. Our mission is to provide big agency experience to businesses who want to tap into that knowledge to help grow their own concerns.”

Portfolio specialises in creating brands as well as innovative campaigns across all media. It

works with the likes of Timberland, New Era and the NHS and offers branding, design, photography and video, social media and website services. The 7-strong team is based at St George’s Square, Bolton.