Independent agency Cummins&Partners has lost the two creative directors who head up its Sydney office, Avish Gordhan and Mandie van der Merwe.

Gordhan and van der Merwe confirmed their departure to B&T, saying in a joint statement that they were beginning a new chapter in their careers.

“We have not taken a permanent position elsewhere and are instead looking at freelance opportunities in the short-term,” the statement said.

“We wish Cummins&Partners every possible success in the future and thank the team in the Sydney office for sharing their passion and talent with us.”

Gordhan and van der Merwe joined Cummins&Partners’ creative team in 2015 from Whybin/TBWA Sydney, before being promoted to creative directors of the agency’s Sydney office last year.

Both have been fierce champions of diversity in Australia’s advertising industry, having featured as speakers at B&T’s inaugural Changing the Ratio event earlier this year.

B&T has approached Cummins&Partners for comment.