Ikon’s communications director Tom Rankin is leaving the agency to join rivals UM as group director of its Sydney agency.

Rankin, who has been the lead on the Commonwealth Bank business for two years, and worked on the Coca-Cola business for four years, is the latest senior team member to exit Ikon after Annick Perrin went to head up Initiative and Nicole Turley exited for Starcom MediaVest.

He replaces Will Spence who was promoted to a national role as commercial director, charged with developing diversified communications strategies at the agency and across the IPG Mediabrands Group.

Malcom Connor, managing director of UM Sydney: “There’s no doubt that Tom has the track record and talents for the role and we are looking forward to him joining us.”

Rankin added: “UM is totally the in-form agency in the market and has achieved great momentum going into 2013. They have aggressive plans into the future and it is an exciting time to join. I am looking forward to the new role.”

Last year Ikon added 12 new clients and earlier this year hired Chris Graham as chief operations officer.