Turnover and staff numbers reach record highs as Fluid Ideas celebrates 18th birthday
Creative agency Fluid Ideas has seen revenues and staff numbers rise to record levels as it celebrates its 18th birthday this month.
The Derbyshire agency began trading in January 2004 from the basement of a beauty salon and turned over £85,000 in its first year.
Fluid’s revenues in its latest financial year topped £3m for the first time in its history. Increased business from existing clients and a raft of new wins helped it grow turnover by 10 per cent in the 12 months to November 30, from £2.9m to £3.2m.
In line with its expansion, Fluid has seen staff numbers reach 50 with its latest crop of recruits.
The recent arrivals include dedicated Shopify developer Richard Peirce in Fluid’s websites and systems team, who brings a new specialism to the agency.
Shopify is one of the world’s most trusted e-commerce platforms and Richard’s appointment significantly strengthens Fluid’s offering in this area.
Grace Parkin and Nick Raven have joined Fluid’s search and social team. Josh Nurse has been recruited to the agency’s brand and creative team, and Patricia Hernandez has joined the image and motion team.
Rebecca Shelton has been appointed to the agency’s support and delivery team to take the lead on a number of client relationships.
These appointments mean Fluid’s workforce has doubled in the past four years.
Fluid, which is based at Darley Abbey Mills near Derby, is a full-service creative agency whose operations cover branding and campaigns, graphic and website design, computer-generated imagery, 3D animation and video, photography, copywriting, digital marketing, content management and social media – all in-house.
Its client base spans sectors including healthcare, retirement living, property, professional services, education, finance, leisure and hospitality.
Significant client wins over the past 12 months include Midlands estate agency chain Newton Fallowell, Oxfordshire County Council, and international business and IT consultancy Waterstons.
Fluid has also expanded the range of services it provides to existing and long-standing clients such as global chemicals giant Azelis, which floated on the Euronext Brussels stock exchange last year, Barchester Healthcare, East Midlands Railway, veterinary care provider IVC Evidensia and SDL Auctions.
Founder and joint managing director Phil Harvey said: “As a full-service agency, we are proud to be the creators and custodians of brands, in pixel and in print, for an exciting and expanding client base across the UK and Europe.
“The expertise of our growing team and the fantastic level of service they provide enables us to constantly exceed expectations and develop ever stronger relationships with our existing clients, as well as to attract new ones across a wide range of sectors.
“Fluid began with just myself, and now we have reached a milestone with 50 staff as well as achieving record turnover in our latest financial year.
“As the world and life evolves, we’re constantly thinking ahead to meet the changing needs of clients, in particular in terms of their digital requirements.
“Adding new skillsets to the team means we are well equipped and confident for the future as we help clients to emerge stronger from the pandemic, just as we have helped them to come through previous recessions.
“Maintaining our high standards, a positive culture and upholding the values on which the business has been built and continues to flourish ensures our team and our clients enjoy the journey.”
