Bristol-based independent brand consultancy Mr B & Friends has acquired FutureKings, the brand strategy agency with offices in Bristol and London, as it continues to capitalise on the rapidly growing demand in the small and medium-sized business segment.
FutureKings was launched in 2016 by executive creative director Steven Anderson and managing director Ben Mott specifically to support ambitious start-up and scale-up businesses. 
It has since grown rapidly, working with clients such as SS Great Britain, English Heritage, St Pauls Carnival, Bristol media hub Watershed and Bath-based financial services firm Ascentric. It has 10 full time staff based in Bristol and London.
Mr B & Friends last year announced an ambitious five-year growth plan, including opening bases in London, the US and South East Asia.
It said it aimed to leverage the FutureKings brand to accelerate its dynamic segment of the market, helping more SMEs and early-stage companies gain a competitive category advantage through brand development.
Mr B & Friends will retain the FutureKings brand, clients, processes, systems and team, who will relocate from its Paintworks base to Mr B’s Whitefriars office, which it moved to last year and where it expects to more than double its headcount to 70 by 2026.
FutureKings’ London office will continue for a transitionary period before opening as Mr B & Friends’ London office – a crucial element of the agency’s growth strategy.
Mr B & Friends, which was launched in Bath nearly 17 years ago before moving to Bristol, provides brand strategy, identity, communications, internal communications and creative services across some high-growth vertical markets to consumer and B2B brands.
Its clients include Bristol-based utility group OVO, soft drinks producer Britvic, professional services firm Marsh and BMT, the specialist engineering business. 
Mr B & Friends Founder & CEO Simon Barbato, pictured, above, and, left, with Steven Anderson and Ben Mott from FutureKings, said: “There’s something almost romantic about this union.
“Steve and I first met and worked together in 1995 at Light & Coley in London, and we had discussed starting an agency together before I launched Mr B & Friends. To now have the chance to rekindle that relationship is just wonderful.
“But let’s be clear, this is a strategic acquisition. We have long been admirers of the work that FutureKings produces for this segment of the market – it’s truly first class, and it’s a segment we’re also active in, having launched our brand accelerator programme Beta three years ago.”
Ben Mott added: “From the first discussion about this acquisition, the mutual benefits and opportunities for both companies were obvious.
“Steve and I have been looking for the right way to grow, and this deal gives FutureKings the perfect platform. Our mutual ambitions for the future are clearly aligned; growth in Bristol, London and the US, delivering our proven processes to a wider range of SME and early-stage businesses.
“We’re thrilled we’ve made this happen and are excited about the next phase of our journey.”
The acquisition, financial details of which have not been disclosed, takes Mr B & Friends headcount to 45 following a 34% increase in revenue last year. Recent clients wins have included Lego Group, Persimmon Homes, Haleon, Gresham and British Canoeing.
