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The Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies 2023

Take a look at Prolific North's Top 50 Digital Agencies list for 2023, the benchmark ranking for the digital sector in the North since 2013.

Compiled by our independent research partners Mustard, the Top 50 Digital Agencies list released on 15 June 2023 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!

If you are on a mobile device, simply swipe the table left and right to view all of the columns.

Ranking ↕Previous ↕Company ↕Location ↕Private/Group ↕Headcount ↕Key clients ↕
11idhl Group*IndependentHarrogate, Leeds, Manchester & Newcastle352TTI, Hammonds, NEOM, Lords and Labradors, Leeds United FC
22StickyeyesInterpublicLeeds234Hertz, 888, Adobe, Lloyds Banking Group, Etihad Airways
33VisualsoftIndependentStockton-on-Tees, Newcastle & Manchester300Daniel Footwear, Go Smile, HMV, Lusso, Brother2Brother
4-CTI Digital †PrivateManchester200Visit Britain, Chester Zoo, British Council, Prezzo, Mind
5-Open PartnersIndependentManchester105Injury Lawyers 4U, Greene King, Sytner Group, Proviz, Source BMX
66Search LaboratoryHavas Media GroupLeeds118Burton Snowboards, Bloch, Appian, Explore Learning, Riviera Travel
712ApadmiIndependentManchester221Domino's Pizza, NHS, Co-op, Chetwood, Dunnes Stores
8726Part of MSQLeeds123Arla, Asda Money, Mitchells & Butlers, Wilko, CIPD
95AND DigitalIndependentManchester, Leeds, Halifax972Zapmap, Missguided, Halfords
1013Journey FurtherIndependentLeeds & Manchester151Adobe, M&S, Virgin Money, Nestlé, Boots, Sky
1110ICS-digitalSpotlight Sports GroupLeeds115PureGym, Infinox, Plarium, Betfair, 888
128CDSBailie GroupLeeds90Bank of England, National Rail, Insight Investment, Yorkshire Water
1317Dark Matter Commerce*IndependentManchester103Beauty Bay, Bensons for Beds, Richer Sounds, Sports Shoes, Fitness First
1411Add PeopleIndependentAltrincham242YouManage, Baby Boutique, Auto Lease Compare, Industville
1521UNRVLD (Previously Delete / Kagool)IndependentManchester165Biffa, Flora, NTT, Barratt Homes, Parkdean Resorts
169JellyfishFimalac (France)Warrington & Manchester47Hiscox, Harrods, BT, Experian, Duracell
1715Nexer DigitalSigma IT Consulting GroupMacclesfield111Department for Education, Astra Zeneca, Convatec, NHS England, Mind
1835TangentIndependentNewcastle60SAP, UK Power Networks, International Workplace Group, Reed, Egis
1918The SEO WorksIndependentSheffield87DHL, Jessops, Benenden Health, Effat University, Staffordshire County Council
2014MediaworksIndependentNewcastle, Manchester & Leeds192Puma, Metro Bank, Cinch, Money Supermarket and Schuh
2131Engage InteractiveIndependentLeeds52Whitbread, The Education Endowment Foundation, PGL, Yorkshire Tea, Dishoom
2216Rise at SevenIndependentSheffield & Manchester95Parkdean Resorts, Pretty Little Thing, Boohoo, ODEON, Interflora
2329ParallaxIndependentLeeds58Hexagon, SCIEX, Home Group, Clear Channel, Brass Monkey
2420Code ComputerlovePart of WPP plcManchester77Hunter Douglas UK Retail Ltd, Bluestone Resorts Ltd, The Go Ahead Group plc, JCT600
2527Connective3IndependentLeeds & Manchester100Wren Kitchens, Ocado, Compare the Market, Tapi, Love Holidays
2622Summit MediaIndependentHull74Ann Summers, Hutchinson 3G, Joules, Signet, Where The Trade Buys
2744LeightonIndependentNewcastle80British Airways, IAG Loyalty, EQUANS, Atom Bank, Footy.com
2819Evolved SearchIndependentNewcastle53Vanarama, Peter Vardy Group, Marks Electrical, tombola, Gridserve
2932CantarusIndependentManchester55BigHand, INTO University Partnerships, Office for Students, Sesame Bankhall Group, Worldpay (FIS)
3042EmbryoIndependentManchester62Native Residential, HSS Hire, OTTY Sleep, Wonderbra, The Range
3123ActiveWinIndependentManchester137Betfred, Wigan Warriors, GGRecon.com, Peninsula, Bucky Bingo
32-DigitaloftIndependentKendal50RVU, JD Outdoors, BOXT, Marshalls PLC, Bill Plant Driving School
3357Shout DigitalIndependentNewcastle50Northumbrian Water, Parkdean Resorts, ICO, Newcastle Airport, Novuna (formerly Hitatchi Capital)
34-VelstarIndependentLiverpool52Castore, French Connection, Swan, Avon, De'longhi
3526Fusion UnlimitedIndependentHeadingley & Leeds25Halfords, University of Leeds, Healthy Stuff , Fuel Card Services, Asmodee
3636Hedgehog LabIndependentNewcastle59AJ Bell, Tesco Bank, Aviva, Deliveroo, Santander
3724MandoIndependentLiverpool49USS; British Red Cross; JCB; SSE Transmission; International Institute of Strategic Studies
3828Enjoy DigitalIndependentLeeds61Sherwin-Williams, Fortune Brands, Age UK, Northern Trains, The Co-operative Group
3925Click ConsultCeuta GroupCheshire51UEFA, Post Office, Zurich, Viessmann, Chums
4033Circus PPC AgencyIndependentLeeds16Miele, Cinesa, Trade Furniture, Great Wine Company, UK Radiators
4138Enigma InteractiveIndependentNewcastle36National Grid, NHS, Superdrug, Solopress, Drager
4254Degree 53IndependentManchester56Betfred, Health Assured, GB Group, Co-op Bank, LiveScore
4340Bring DigitalIndependentBolton31Cotton Traders, American Golf, Yours Clothing, Beaverbrooks, Formula 1
4439Fat MediaIndependentLancaster64Lakeland, Four Seasons Healthcare, Yotel, Age Concern
4550BolserIndependentLeeds34XBox, Flutter, Football Foundation, Microsoft, Budweiser
4652OSF DigitalIndependentChester24Ubisoft, L'Oréal, Sonos, LUSH
47-Six & FlowIndependentManchester32Red Cross, Smeg, HubSpot, UKMail, Ebsta
4841Clicky MediaIndependentChester43Raleigh, Select Property, Redrow, Yelp, You Garden
4975BlueclawIndependentLeeds24Jewson, Mobile Phones Direct, A1 Comms, Blinds Direct, Just Eat for Business
50476B DigitalIndependentWakefield50NHS Somerset, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, UK Health Security Agency

* IDHL Group includes WMG, Ingenuity Digital, NetConstruct, Ampersand, Pinpoint, Fostr, equation, Conesso and Statement.

† CTI has moved from the Top 50 Integrated Agencies to the Top 50 Digital Agencies.

* Dark Matter Commerce entered as Space48 last year.

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).