Following the release of Prolific North’s Top 50 PR Agencies list for 2025, we can now reveal more about the new entrants and top climbers on this year’s list.
Compiled by long-term independent research partner Mustard, the list has become the North’s benchmark ranking for the public relations industry over the past decade.
READ MORE: Revealed: Prolific North’s Top 50 PR Agencies 2025
As a reminder, every eligible agency is considered for the ranking, with Mustard analysing a range of financial and operational metrics to build the final list. Factors include balance sheets, turnover, pre-tax profit, and publicly available information.
While this year’s list features plenty of movers and shakers, we took a closer look at the five biggest climbers and two new (or nearly new!) entrants for 2025. A handful of Northern agency leaders reflect on the year they’ve had — sharing their challenges, successes, and what’s next.
Top climbers
Democracy
Headquartered in Manchester, Democracy recently revealed it is expanding operations with the opening of a second office in Soho, London. The agency has made the biggest leap up the list this year, climbing from 36th place in 2024 to 14th in 2025.
Jennifer O’Grady, CEO of Manchester-headquartered Democracy, said: “2025 has been a strong year for the Democracy team and everybody has contributed to making a difference.
“Key growth drivers include the development of our new agency proposition (Protect, Connect, Amplify), opening a London office, strengthening our leadership team and developing an AI visibility product for challenger brands.”
Petal & Co
Founded by Jess Wilkinson in 2015, Manchester-based Petal & Co has built a reputation as a strategic consultancy, working with fast-growth businesses and leading investors and advisers. It’s been a standout year for the agency, climbing 18 places to 32nd on this year’s ranking.
“We reached our tenth year of business in 2025 and it’s been our most successful yet,” said Wilkinson. “This is down to our experienced team who are all delivering really clever work to create value for clients to day in, day out. Because of our clients’ success, we’ve grown our own business again and we’re proud of the longevity of our partnerships. We’re also really clear about only pursuing new business opportunities where we believe we are the best team for the job. We’ve won some brilliant clients this year with interesting briefs, punching well above our weight in competitive processes.”
Intelligent Conversation
Intelligent Conversation, headquartered in Manchester with an additional office in London, has risen 14 places to the 17th spot this year.
“It’s lovely to see Intelligent Conversation up there in such a strong field of agencies. Like everybody else on the list, we’ve not been immune to the challenging market conditions out there, which are by no means over. But we’ve invested in our brand and doubled down on our strengths and niche in B2B. Our model means we get to work with wonderfully smart, tight-knit client teams on some of the biggest, most exciting challenges across global industry, healthcare tech, fintech, energy,” said Fritzi Wemheuer, Managing Director at Intelligent Conversation.
“We’ve had a great year last year, thanks to an incredible team that’s continuously applying the core journalistic traits of curiosity, empathy and speed to really complex business challenges – far beyond PR’s traditional remit. Thanks, guys – you’re the best! Congratulations to all agencies on the list (and the many fantastic smaller players who are all keeping businesses going in difficult times) – our PR and storytelling skill set has never been more relevant. Credibility, authority, getting the original story, the human take, moving fast. That’s our thing. It will hold us all in good stead.”
Aberfield Communications
Founded in 2012, Aberfield Communications is a Leeds-based PR, social media, and brand communications agency that has climbed 14 places to the 19th spot on this year’s ranking.
“While it was a strong year, we’ve actually more than doubled turnover, profitability and headcount over the last three years, while continuing to invest significantly in staff training and retention,” said director Tim Downs.
“Our success is rooted in having a brilliant team of people who are empowered to shine within a culture that is inclusive and positive. Underpinning that is a model built around insight driven, senior level consultancy that adds genuine business value and creates lasting, meaningful and profitable relationships. It’s the reason we have so many longstanding clients, with many being with us for more than six years and some since we started 13 years ago.
“That momentum also looks set to continue as we’ve had the best ever first half to a financial year following a string of client wins including Moda Living, Powerleague, William Hare Group and Econ Engineering, with more to announce in early 2026. This year was also topped off by Aberfield being named as the Small Agency of the Year at this year’s PRCA DARE Awards.”
MTJ PR
Founded in 2005, Salford-based agency MTJ PR has jumped 12 places to the 27th position in this year’s ranking.
“What a year it has been! We’re absolutely delighted to be one of this year’s biggest climbers. We’re fortunate to work with an incredible roster of longstanding clients who continue to trust us to tell their stories, and that partnership-led approach has shaped our growth. Plus, we’ve had a big year for new business wins as a bonus. It felt like a real step-change for us,” said Claire Murgatroyd, Managing Director at MTJ PR.
“Above all, this achievement belongs to our team. Their creativity, drive and commitment to delivering meaningful results are the reason we’re where we are today. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved. 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for MTJ PR, and this recognition is the perfect way to kick things off.”
New entrants
Unhooked Communications
Stockport-based Unhooked Communications makes its debut on the Top 50 PR ranking, entering at number 49.
The agency recently secured backing from Innovate UK to build an AI-powered platform, set to shake up how PR professionals prove the value of their work.
“I’ve worked in the marketing and PR industry in Manchester for more than 15 years and there’s so much talent in this city and across the north, so it’s great news that Unhooked Communications now features on this list alongside such brilliant agencies,” said Claire Gamble, managing director of Stockport-based Unhooked Communications.
Gamble continued: “This year feels like the start of a pivotal shift for the agency. We’ve been on a journey to upskill and improve how we deliver strategy, activation and measurement for clients. I feel very fortunate to be building a business within such a strong ecosystem of training, skills and advice from the likes of Turing Innovation Catalyst, the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub and Innovate UK.
“We’re proud at Unhooked to work with national and leading brands such as Flooring Superstore, Jewson, City Plumbing, Häfele, Oxford Innovation and more. It’s been a busy year, with ongoing PR and comms, integrated creative campaigns and maximising the impact of events and face-to-face experiences. But the year hasn’t been without its challenges. When I speak to other PRs and agencies, we’re all having to work harder for new business. Even so, there are some great opportunities for those who focus on their areas of specialism and expertise, and who are ready to explore new ways to innovate and adapt as the worlds of business, media and tech continues to change.”
Jam
Jam, which has previously featured on the PR list before, returns this year at number 23. The Manchester-based agency also provides social, content, and creative services alongside PR.
Jaime Gee launched the business in 2006 alongside Dave Gee, one of a “handful of boutique agencies” at the time.
“Although we’re listed as a ‘new entrant’, this isn’t our first rodeo in the Top 50, but it does feel like a fresh chapter for us. We’ve evolved beyond being seen purely as a PR agency, with our social, content and creative work now shaping much of what we deliver,” said Jaime Gee, co-founder and MD of Jam.
“2025 has been a year of solid progress, built on the strong foundations we laid in 2024. We’ve onboarded 10 new clients and renewed contracts with long-standing partners, some now moving into their fifth year with us.
“We’ve also invested in brilliant new talent, strengthening both our PR team and our digital PR offering. This recognition reflects not just where we are today, but where we’re heading.”
