The founder of JKC Creative Marketing in Falmouth has decided to step down after 50 years in the industry.

John Knowles, a industry veteran since 1972, is ready to pass on his duties to his trusted management team.

With a career kickstarting with the likes of Westland Helicopters, Boeing, and Magnet Joinery, he emerged as a prominent figure in the materials handling sector.

He gained recognition as “a legend and a font of knowledge” from a leading magazine editor due to his understanding of the field and his clients.

JKC Creative Marketing, stationed at Tregoniggie Industrial Estate, asserts its plans to pursue Mr Knowles’s vision.

Finance director Sarah Cave said: “John is one of a kind, but his philosophy of encouraging leaders rather than followers is guiding us well.

"Indeed, we have recently moved to new premises to support future expansion.”

(Image: Edward Shaw)

Mr Knowles reminisced about his acclaimed journey: “It was in the latter days of telex and just as fax was breaking through as the communication technology of choice.

"My agency at that time was entrusted with launching the UK’s first desktop facsimile machine.

"It proved an instant success.”

His ability to adapt to modern technology helped him establish a successful agency in Cornwall.

He continued: “From the outset, we were working for national and international companies such as Mitsubishi and Caterpillar which involved quite a bit of travel, but it was worth it to come home to such an idyllic environment".

In addition to the agency, Mr Knowles and his wife Marie also managed Falmouth’s wholefood shop, Harvest.

Account director Cat Allen said: “John will be greatly missed.

"He combined a flair for outstanding writing with a game-changing vision.

"His insights enabled clients to enhance and, on occasion, totally transform their businesses.

"More than that, though, he is universally loved, and his wit, wisdom, and integrity have been thoroughly absorbed by everyone at JKC.”

Mr Knowles feels his departure might not affect the company much: “I’m leaving a great team, each one a leader in his or her specialism.

"I may have laid the foundations, but my colleagues are taking the agency to far greater heights.”