From Growth to Gold: Scaling & Selling Your Agency

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Running an agency isn’t just about client work – it’s about building a sustainable business. We know the challenges: scaling effectively, securing the right funding, and, for many, planning a successful exit. That’s why we’ve designed “From Growth to Gold” – a day focused on providing you with actionable insights and genuine connections. For 2025, we’ve taken the best of our 2024 program and included even more room to exchange ideas through a series of focused roundtables open to all ticket holders.

So what does the event have in store for you?

Morning Kickstart: We begin with a keynote from someone who’s actually walked the path you’re on. They’ll share real-world experiences, not just theoretical concepts, giving you a fresh perspective on navigating today’s market. Then, we move into a couple of dynamic panel discussion – one with “New wave” social first agencies Campfire and Butterfly 3ffect & another with veterans from Apadmi, Tigerbond and the Behaviours Agency.

Deep Dive Roundtables: Forget passive listening. We designed the agenda to include interactive sessions. You’ll join a small group, led by industry veterans, to tackle the issues that keep you up at night. Want to understand how to leverage tech for growth? Or perhaps you’re exploring M&A strategies? We’ll have focused discussions on the following topics:

  1. Agency M&A roundtable – How is the agency M&A market evolving, are we seeing increased consolidation, and what strategic opportunities should agency owners consider to leverage M&A for growth?
  2. People-powered growth roundtable – How are agency leaders navigating the talent tightrope, balancing automation, rising costs, and employee expectations to create a thriving and engaged workforce?
  3. International growth roundtable – What are the key opportunities for agencies in high-growth markets like the US and Middle East, and what should you consider for success in these regions?
  4. AI & Tech roundtable – How are agencies leveraging AI and emerging technologies?
  5. Accelerating growth roundtable – What are the typical growth pain points experienced by agencies, and how can engaging NEDs provide valuable guidance and support to overcome these challenges and drive ambitious growth?

Looking Ahead: We’ll conclude with a panel discussion featuring the day’s speakers and experts who will try to sum up the key takeaways and offer their perspectives on the future of the agency landscape. This isn’t about vague predictions; it’s about providing practical insights you can use to prepare for what’s next.

Who is this event for? The agenda has been specifically designed for for agency owners who are:

  • Looking to scale their business effectively
  • Exploring funding and investment opportunities.
  • Considering a future exit strategy
  • Seeking to enhance their agency’s value
  • Wanting to learn from people who have real world experience.

Due to the nature of the conversation, we purposely limit the event to a smaller audience. So make sure you secure your ticket soon!

Agenda

09:55
Welcome & Setting the scene for the day

Host: Richard Gregory, Co-Founder of Agency NXD

Previously, Richard was the managing director of digital agency Latitude, director of Tech North and co-founder of SAScon.

10:10
Keynote session

Speaker:

- Stephen Kenwright, Director of Strategy and Digital Marketing at Ride Shotgun

10:30
Disrupting the feed: How social-first agencies are pioneering the next wave of growth?

Speakers:

- Michael Heaven, Co-Founder of Butterfly 3ffect
- Alex Brown, Co-Founder of Campfire
- Host: Richard Gregory, Agency NXD

11:05
The long game: Lessons, evolution, and future opportunities for agency leaders

Join us for a candid conversation with seasoned agency leaders from Apadmi, Tigerbond, and The Behaviours Agency. These veterans have navigated the ever-evolving landscape of agency life, weathering storms and capitalising on emerging opportunities.

In this panel, we'll delve into their journeys, exploring the pivotal moments, the lessons learned from past mistakes, and the strategies that have driven their sustained success.

Hosted by Richard Gregory, Agency NXD

Panellists:
- Sue Benson, Founder and CEO of Behaviours Agency
- Dr. Howard Simms, Co-Founder of Apadmi
- Rachel Gladwin, Co-Founder of Tigerbond

11:35
Refreshments & Networking break
11:50
Deep dive roundtables - choice of five topics

Forget passive listening. We designed the agenda to include interactive sessions.

You’ll join a small group, led by industry veterans, to tackle the issues that keep you up at night. You can choose one of the following topics:

- Agency M&A
- People-powered growth
- International growth
- AI & Tech
- Accelerating growth

12:35
Lunch & Networking Break
13:35
Roundtable discussions continue

Choose a second roundtable topic from the following topics:
- Agency M&A
- People-powered growth
- International growth
- AI & Tech
- Accelerating growth

14:40
Looking to the future & Closing remarks

Host: Richard Gregory, Agency NXD

Speakers:
- KPMG
- Paprika Software
- Glaisyers

15:00
Drinks reception and networking

Speakers

Headshot RG (1)
Richard Gregory
Co-Founder
Agency NXD
Richard is co-founder of AgencyNXD as well as an advisor and NXD to multiple tech firms and agencies, including Clicktech, Fluid Commerce and Ruler Analytics. Heralding from “Silicon Ramsbottom” he is an ardent supporter of the digital and tech industry in the North of England Previously, Richard was the managing director of digital agency Latitude, director of Tech North and co-founder of SAScon.
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Michael Heaven
Co-Founder
Butterfly 3ffect
Michael has over a decade of experience in agency operations and growth, including as a founding member of Social Chain, where he led its US expansion. After Social Chain's merger and IPO in 2020, he became Managing Director at Offbeat Media Group, a Mark Cuban-backed venture. Michael combines his agency and business operations expertise to offer actionable insights and strategies to startup and scale-up leaders.
Alex Upscale V2 (1)
Alex Brown
Co-Founder
Campfire
Campfire is a multi-award winning social first marketing agency that leads the social media strategy for brands in conglomerates like Unliever, L'Oreal Groupe, Coty, Kao, PZ Cussons, and many other independent blue chip brands. Outside of offering market leading services, Campfire has designed market leading software such as Spark, Campfire's flagship trends and analytics platform. Spark predicts social trends 3 weeks in advance, powering the insights of some of the world's largest brands.
Sue Headshot
Sue Benson
Founder & CEO
The Behaviours Agency
Sue has been at the helm of The Behaviours Agency for over 20 years, consistently delivering profit and impressive returns year after year. She's learned a thing or two about what it takes to build a successful agency, from the importance of a strong culture to the power of consistent marketing.
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Howard Simms
Co-Founder
Apadmi
Howard Simms, a graduate of Leeds and Oxford, co-founded Apadmi, a leading UK mobile software firm, working with clients like Domino’s, the BBC, and the NHS. After 15 years, he exited to pursue new ventures. With over 25 years' experience, he held senior roles across operations, sales, and strategy, including CEO of Apadmi Ventures. A graduate of the Goldman Sachs Ambassadors Programme, he’s passionate about innovation and problem-solving. Outside work, he enjoys music, travel, sports, and gigs.
TB BRD D RachelGladwin
Rachel Gladwin
Co-Founder
Tigerbond
Working in agency-land for almost 30 years, Rachel Gladwin is one of five co-founders who have built Tigerbond's UK network up to be the antidote to the globals. The model for scaling has been to offer a big agency service with boutique agency love. The key has been a powerful culture that knits together real people, based in towns and suburbs, the length and breath of the UK, to unlock the power of community.
Stephen Kenwright
Stephen Kenwright
Director of Strategy and Digital Marketing
Ride Shotgun
Stephen is Director of Strategy and Digital Marketing at creative content agency Ride Shotgun. He founded and exited search-first creative agency Rise at Seven; is a former in-house head of digital at the UK’s largest automotive retailer Pendragon PLC; and founded SearchLeeds, a digital marketing conference that pulled 2,000 people into Leeds’ first direct arena in its most recent edition.

Don't Miss Out: Limited Tickets

Due to the nature of the conversation, we purposely limit the event to a smaller audience. So make sure you secure your ticket soon!

Sponsored By

Headline Sponsor - Paprika Software
Headline Sponsor - KPMG
Headline Sponsor - Glaisyers
Start: March 26, 2025 9:00 am
End: March 26, 2025 5:00 pm

Hosted at

KPMG

One St Peter’s Square, Saint Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 3AE, UK

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