Group managing director Tom Robertshaw declined to comment on Wallace Barnaby’s decision to go into voluntary liquidation.

ABOUT 30 people lost their jobs yesterday when marketing and advertising firm Wallace Barnaby went into voluntary liquidation.

Established in 1984, the group, whose parent company is UK-based Ekay, had become the largest offshore marketing and advertising agency in the British Isles with businesses in both Guernsey and Jersey. The doors of the company’s Sydney Vane House premises were closed yesterday and the office appeared empty.

Group managing director Tom Robertshaw declined to comment. The Wallace Barnaby Group turned over £22m. in its last financial year to the end of June. Its client list included the likes of Lloyds TSB Offshore, Abbey National, Guernsey Electricity and Jersey Dairy.

Insiders say the economic downturn was not to blame as the group had entered voluntary liquidation. Adrian Rabet and Alan Roberts of business rescue, recovery and restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor (Channel Islands) have been appointed as joint liquidators.

CMA Events Management – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wallace Barnaby – is contracted to organise the Liberation Day celebrations for Culture and Leisure. CMA staff are known to be devastated at the situation which they believe was beyond their control. The company is understood to have been trading successfully and profitably.