The Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies 2023

Agency, News, Top 50 Digital Agencies

by Rachael Hesno
June 15, 2023

Today we can reveal 2023’s Top 50 Digital Agencies list, the benchmark ranking for the digital sector in the North since 2013.

Compiled by our independent research partners Mustard, the Top 50 Digital Agencies ranks the region’s agencies by a series of metrics, such as turnover, headcount and pre-tax profit, confirmed directly with the companies themselves alongside publicly available information at Companies House.

There’s been some movement on the list this year, with new entrants and some impressive jumps into the top 20 too. A huge well done to everyone who made the list!

We will be marking the release of this year’s ranking with a special event, to be held on Tuesday July 4th at KPMG’s Manchester office in St Peter’s Square. More details below!

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Summary

A big congratulations to IDHL Group, named the number one digital agency in the region for the second year running. The top three remains unchanged, with Stickyeyes second and Visualsoft third.

CTI Digital has moved over from the Top 50 Integrated Agencies to take the fourth spot and Open Partners, a new entry this year, sweeps in to take fifth place.

There have been some impressive moves into the top 10 too. Apadmi has moved five spots to number seven and Journey Further slides in at number 10, up from 13th place in 2022.

Regionally, the top 10 is a mix with Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle widely represented. The Yorkshire region is a hotspot for digital – with six agencies out of the top 10 having offices in the region.

Overall, agencies headquartered in the North West comprise 48% of the whole list (24 agencies). Yorkshire is home to 36% (18), while 16% of agencies are in the North East (8).

Very special mentions should go to Leighton (27th) for jumping 17 places, Tangent (18th) for climbing 17 spots, Embryo (30th) moving up by 12, and Engage Interactive (21st) for rising 10 places.

A range of new and returning entries have made it onto the ranking too – well done to Digitaloft (32nd), Velstar (33rd) and Six & Flow (46th).

Special event

We will be marking the release of this year’s ranking with a special event, to be held on Tuesday July 4th at KPMG’s Manchester office in St Peter’s Square.

Kicking off at 5.30pm, the event will bring together senior digital agency leaders for an informal evening of networking.

As well as shining a spotlight on this year’s ranking, highest risers and top 10, the event will also feature a special panel session where you can hear from agency leaders who all have valuable experiences on building your agency through acquisition.

Panel speakers will include:

Heather Baker, CEO, Definition Group
Tim Grice, CEO, Connective3
Garry Partington, CEO, Apadmi
Rob Shaw, CEO, HUB
Jon Woodall, CEO, Dark Matter Commerce

Make sure you join in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #PNTop50.