LONDON — Milk & Honey has “pressed pause” on its business in Australia after struggling to find senior talent to cover partner and MD Caroline Addy’s forthcoming maternity leave.

After nearly two years of growth since its Sydney launch at the end of 2019, the agency’s Australian office is closing for the time being, as Addy is on leave from next month.

All five team members and clients have been notified and several clients, spanning technology, financial services and professional services, have been referred to other agencies locally. Addy said there have been no redundancies as part of the move.

B Corp agency Milk & Honey was started in the UK in 2017 and has grown to become the fifth fastest-growing agency in the world, with other offices in the UK and North America. It was named as one of PRovoke Media’s best agencies to work for in 2021 for the second year running.

Addy (pictured, right) said: “Despite our growing international reputation for being a great place to work and looking after our people; the intense lock-down in Australia and dwindling talent pool has made recruitment hellish.”

Founder and group CEO Kirsty Leighton (pictured, left) added: “Caroline has done a heroic job of growing our business in Australia, attracting and servicing some wonderful local and global brands. She has put her heart and soul into the business and delivered amazing results.

“The job market and dearth of PR talent has proved our undoing. We have been unable to find the right leader to step into her fabulous shoes whilst on maternity leave, so have made the hard decision to ‘press pause’ for now. Our growth plans internationally remain on track, and we are looking to continue substantial growth in Europe, North America and APAC over the next five years.”