Marketing and creative agencies to acquire in the UK

Name: Marketing and creative agencies to acquire in the UK
Creator: Firmbase
License: https://firmbase.co/terms

Updated 9 November 2026

Looking to acquire a marketing or creative agency in the UK? Firmbase ranks 3,434 marketing and creative agencies using public company information to help buyers prioritise firms for research and potential outreach. The Approach Score ranks firms using public signals including director age and tenure, ownership, business scale, financial strength and recent changes. These firms are not listed for sale, and the ranking does not indicate that an owner is considering a sale.

The median firm has 8 staff and has been in business for 12 years; 8 firms are owned by groups that have acquired several firms in this sector.

Agency fees can pay for staff time, specified creative work or agreed results, so the billing model matters alongside the client portfolio. Advertising, digital, design and branding agencies appear together here; check each firm's website to see which services it offers. Before buying a marketing agency, separate continuing retainers from individual commissions and examine what each fee commits the agency to deliver.

Acquire creative agencies with clear rights to client work

Who holds each client relationship shapes how a marketing agency would fit your team. Firmbase covers 3,434 UK limited-company and LLP agencies with five or more staff. Advertising, digital, design and branding businesses sit together in this market, so use each firm's service mix to narrow your search.

Ownership can help you distinguish an independent agency from one already owned by a group that has bought several agencies. Among creative agencies, 30% have one person holding 75% or more. Public ownership records reveal nothing about an individual owner's plans. Compare firms within a region before you decide whom to contact.

AI may change how teams produce draft content, analyse campaign results and handle routine creative tasks. Examine the quality controls, intellectual property terms and client approvals that govern that work. A firm whose revenue depends on a small set of people or contracts may require a different integration plan from one built around repeatable delivery.

Use the Approach Score to prioritise research, then inspect the facts behind it and the client agreements behind each agency's income. Use the agency list as a sourcing tool, not a list of businesses for sale. Qualify each business directly, including its service commitments, advertising compliance and the rights to creative work produced for clients.

3,434

Firms

16%

Every director 55+

30%

Held 75%+ by one person

Median years in business

Median headcount

£250k to £500k

Median turnover band

includes our estimates

Key facts

The Advertising Standards Authority publishes Advertising Codes covering broadcast and non-broadcast advertising. ASA

The Advertising Standards Authority publishes rulings that buyers can search when reviewing an agency's work. ASA

The non-broadcast advertising code covers direct marketing communications as well as advertisements. ASA

The first 25 firms, in Approach Score order

Rank	Firm	Approach Score	The facts behind the score
1	Medicineman London, Hertfordshire	Approach Score 90/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2000 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 9 staff · turnover £952k Net assets £138k (Dec 2025) Company no. 04089038 · Companies House medicineman.agency
2	Connexxions Brand & Media Reading	Approach Score 89/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2009 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £314k Net assets £48k (May 2025) Company no. 06895305 · Companies House connexxions.co.uk
3	Context Public Relations Macclesfield, Cheshire	Approach Score 88/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 1 aged under 45 · longest in post since 1998 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover £787k Net assets £946k (Mar 2026) Director resigned Oct 2026 Company no. 03643421 · Companies House contextpr.co.uk
4	TCD Design and Print Canterbury, Kent	Approach Score 87/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2014 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £770k Net assets £652k (Oct 2025) Company no. 09119406 · Companies House tocd.co.uk
5	Always BE Content Edinburgh	Approach Score 86/100	1 director aged 65-69, 1 aged 45-49 · longest in post since 2017 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover est. £501k Net assets £134k (Mar 2025) Director resigned Sep 2026 Company no. SC558181 · Companies House alwaysbecontent.com
6	Equinet Media Bedford A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 86/100	1 director aged 65-69, 2 aged 55-59 · longest in post since 2009 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 9 staff · turnover est. £367k Net assets £38k (Mar 2025) Company no. 06796506 · Companies House equinetmedia.com
7	The Very Best Impressions London	Approach Score 86/100	Director aged 70 or over · in post since 2004 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £619k Net assets £2.1m (Jul 2024) Company no. 05159908 · Companies House
8	Newmac Displays Halifax, West Yorkshire	Approach Score 85/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2003 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £481k Net assets £77k (Apr 2026) Company no. 04942125 · Companies House
9	RED Creative Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 84/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 1 aged 55-59 · longest in post since 2005 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 10 staff · turnover est. £3.1m Net assets £4.1m (Mar 2025) Company no. 05534292 · Companies House red-creative.agency
10	The Design Factory London, Greater London	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2001 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £407k Net assets £1.3m (Mar 2025) Company no. 04200550 · Companies House thedesignfactory.co.uk
11	The SignBox Oldham Manchester, Lancs	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2006 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover est. £339k Net assets £235k (Jan 2026) Company no. 05676074 · Companies House thesignbox.com
12	Beacon Creative Gateshead, Tyne & Wear	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2002 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £489k Net assets £541k (Oct 2025) Company no. 04553957 · Companies House beaconcreative.com
13	CJA London A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2002 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £2.3m Net assets £2m (Sep 2025) Company no. 04468103 · Companies House cjagroup.com
14	Platform Communications Brinkworth	Approach Score 83/100	1 director aged 65-69, 1 aged 60-64 · longest in post since 1999 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 15 staff · turnover est. £1.6m Net assets £664k (Dec 2025) Company no. 03746187 · Companies House platform-communications.com
15	BUY ME Media Manchester	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2016 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £626k Net assets £84k (Sep 2025) PSC register changed Dec 2024 Company no. 10385728 · Companies House buyme.media
16	Pivotal Leicester	Approach Score 83/100	1 director aged 65-69, 1 aged 60-64, 1 aged 55-59 · longest in post since 2010 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 23 staff · turnover est. £4.1m Net assets £2.3m (Mar 2025) Charge satisfied Feb 2026 Company no. 07180365 · Companies House pivotal-retail.com
17	Stream Advertising & Marketing Basingstoke, Hampshire	Approach Score 83/100	2 directors aged 65-69 · longest in post since 1999 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £623k Net assets £54k (Sep 2025) Director resigned Jul 2025 · PSC register changed Jul 2025 Company no. 03850555 · Companies House thestream.co.uk
18	B & J Haughey Chichester, West Sussex	Approach Score 83/100	In post since 2016 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £195k Net assets £30k (Jun 2024) PSC register changed Mar 2026 Company no. 10257240 · Companies House
19	Brushworks London	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2017 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £181k Net assets £54k (Nov 2025) Director resigned Aug 2026 · PSC register changed Aug 2026 Company no. 11070287 · Companies House iqrainternational.org
20	Barlow & Co Northampton, Northamptonshire	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 1997 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £756k Net assets £429k (May 2026) Company no. 03483487 · Companies House
21	Positive Marketing London	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2001 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £493k Net assets £185k (Mar 2025) Company no. 04261910 · Companies House pozmark.com
22	Hudson Fuggle London	Approach Score 83/100	Longest in post since 2000 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 8 staff · turnover est. £281k Net assets £60k (Mar 2025) Company no. 03912072 · Companies House hudsonfuggle.com
23	Creative Vehicle Wrapping Cannock, Staffordshire	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2020 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 8 staff · turnover est. £836k Net assets £403k (Jun 2025) Director resigned Mar 2026 · PSC register changed Mar 2026 Company no. 12449738 · Companies House creativevehiclewrapping.co.uk
24	I2I Marketing Cheltenham, Gloucestershire	Approach Score 83/100	1 director aged 65-69, 1 aged 60-64 · longest in post since 2000 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £1.1m Net assets £290k (Mar 2026) Company no. 03899673 · Companies House i2i-marketing.co.uk
25	Jump Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2007 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 19 staff · turnover est. £535k Net assets £190k (Feb 2026) Company no. 06047314 · Companies House wesayhowhigh.com

3,409 more firms are in the list, in Approach Score order.

You're seeing the first 25. Buy all 3,434 for £3,233 + VAT, with the facts behind each score, director names, shareholders and financials.

Buy the list of all 3,434 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.

What's in the file

One row per firm, in Approach Score order, as Excel + CSV.

The score and the firm

Approach Score

The facts behind the score

Points for each part of the score

Financials with dates

Website

Publicly available contact details, where identified

Directors and shareholders

Director names

Director birth month and year

Director appointment dates

Named shareholders with more than 25%, with ownership bands

Some people with significant control appear as Other individual, with no further detail. Director email lookups are not included.

Frequently asked questions

How might I approach a creative agency owner?

At first contact, identify yourself and describe the creative services relevant to your search. Say you found the agency owner's details on the public Companies House register through Firmbase. Tell them how to object to your use of their data, and stop contacting them if they do. Screen any number against the Telephone Preference Service and the Corporate Telephone Preference Service before calling. Ask about client work without implying the agency or its owner is considering a deal.

What should I check before buying a creative agency?

Read client agreements to separate continuing retainers from individual projects. Check who owns work produced for clients, how approvals are recorded, and whether key relationships depend on particular staff. Review any claims made in campaigns against the Advertising Standards Authority's published Codes and rulings. Those public materials help you identify compliance issues, but they do not establish the quality or durability of an agency's client relationships.

ASA · ASA

How does the Approach Score help with marketing agencies?

Use the score to choose agencies for further research and read the public facts beneath it. Ownership, financial strength and scale can help order outreach, but they do not describe creative quality or an owner's plans. The methodology page explains how Firmbase ranks firms. Check each agency's website, client agreements and staff capabilities before comparing it with the kind of group you hope to build.

What should I ask about work produced for agency clients?

Check each agreement for ownership of creative work, rights to reuse material, approval steps and continuing obligations after a project ends. Separate work made for a client from the agency's own methods and tools. Ask which staff maintain the client relationship and whether retainers cover defined services. Where campaigns make public claims, compare the review process with the Advertising Standards Authority's Codes and published rulings.

ASA · ASA

How this list is filtered

Active on Companies House. Companies in liquidation, administration, receivership or a voluntary arrangement, or with a proposal to strike off, are left out.
Dormant companies are left out.
Firms whose owners asked to be removed are left out.
Private limited companies, public limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies only. Sole traders and partnerships are not covered.
Firmbase industry tag: Marketing Agency, Digital Agency or Creative & Design Agency.
SIC code 73110, 73120 or 74100.
5 or more staff, from filed headcount or our estimate where none is filed.
Registered office in the UK.

How this list is built

The Approach Score ranks firms mainly on public Companies House information about owner tenure and age, ownership, size, financial strength and recent register changes.

Firms with higher scores appear first in each list.

Use the ranking to order research, then check each business directly.

Read how the Approach Score works

What it does not mean

No firm here is for sale, and the score says nothing about any owner's plans.

At least 95% of the firms where we hold directors had them checked in or after November 2026.

What we do not cover

We cover limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies. Sole traders and ordinary partnerships are not on Companies House, so they are not here. Regulatory information is not included in this list. Buyers should check the relevant register as part of their due diligence. Agencies have no single sector regulator. Check advertising obligations against the ASA's Advertising Codes and search its published rulings; the ASA regulates advertisements rather than licensing agencies.

Why age bands but no people's names

Age bands come from the month and year of birth on Companies House. This page shows no exact ages and no people's names. Both come with the purchased list. The band edges from 45 to 65 are the ages where the score changes. A row shows no age bands when a director's surname is in the firm's name, its group's name or its website. Those directors' ages still count towards the score.

Is this your firm?

You can ask us to take it off every acquisition page, and out of every list we sell after that. Give us your name and work email, and we send you a link to confirm. If your email address is on the firm's own website domain, the firm comes off once you confirm. If it is not, a person reviews your request first. A list already sold stays with its buyer.

To have personal data erased, see our privacy policy.

Other areas

East Midlands East of England London North East North West Northern Ireland Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands Yorkshire and The Humber

Related sectors

PR agencies Recruitment agencies

The standard Firmbase list

Marketing Agency Companies in the UK

Buy the list of all 3,434 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.