Bristol-based independent brand consultancy Mr B & Friends has officially opened for business in London and has already signed up its first client.
The new base in the capital, the agency’s second, comes amid continued growth and plans for a US office later this year.
Founded by CEO Simon Barbato, pictured below, in 2006, Mr B & Friends specialise in three core competencies – brand strategy, brand communications and employee experience.
It works globally with clients including The LEGO Group, InterContinental Hotels Group, Convatec and Britvic, as well as UK-based brands such as OVO Energy, Persimmon Homes, Canada Life and Principality Building Society.
The agency’s growth has accelerated since its acquisition of Bristol and London-based, SME-focused branding studio FutureKings just under a year ago.
Mr B & Friends, which is now headed by Simon and executive creative director and FutureKings founder Steve Anderson, has recently signed up its first client for the new London office.
Steve joined the Mr B & Friends team after his agency was acquired.
Prior to launching FutureKings, Steve held the role of group creative director at Smith & Milton, transforming brands including AXA, L&G and Warburtons.
Earlier in his career he worked on global brands alongside Simon at Light & Coley.
Also working in the London office are client director Rachel Dean and associate strategy director Liam Smith.
Rachel, who recently joined from London agency We Launch, has more than 15 years’ agency experience and has successfully managed the delivery of numerous brand, comms and digital projects.
These range from global leaders such as GSK and Lloyds Bank to start-up challengers such as London fertility clinic The Evewell and snack food manufacturer Snaffling Pig.
Liam, who joined Mr B & Friends in 2016, is adept at brand development, campaign planning and employee experience strategy.
With more than a decade of experience, he has worked with a variety of brands including Microsoft, IHG and Canada Life.
Steve said: “Mr B & Friends has already achieved an impressive reputation for delivering value for clients in all sectors through creative excellence and solid client relationships.
“I’m excited to be continuing to build that ambition further with our new London office. We have an incredibly strong team and will be pooling our collective expertise to grow the agency’s capability on a wider scale.”
Simon added: “We’re delighted to be opening Mr B & Friends London. We’ve seen continued growth for the agency family over the last few years and, with an increasing number of inquiries from organisations based around the capital, it makes sense for us to continue our expansion here.
“The London team will be ensuring we deliver the same high level of brand strategy expertise and extraordinary creative that our clients have come to expect.”
To mark the opening of the London office, Mr B & Friends is hosting a Employee Experience Masterclass at The Groucho Club in Soho on 29 February.
Pictured below, Mr B & Friends’ London team. From left: Liam Smith, Rachel Dean and Steve Anderson
