Agency Owners & Leaders 2025

09.25

Welcome from the Chair

Alison Bainbridge, Founder, Kokoro Global

Growth, Strategy & Finance

09.30

Panel discussion

Humans + AI: Reimagining agency operating models for the future

·        Developing an agency AI integration strategy that unlocks growth opportunities

·        What’s your starting point? Facts and feelings about AI across your workforce

·        Discussing the impact of AI on agency processes, workforce roles, staffing structures and training needs

·        Examining the operational implications of your approach to AI governance, ethics and data security

·        How to manage the impact of new operational models on future talent pipelines

Chair:

Rebecca Cole, CEO, Cobalt Sky

Panellists:

James Grant, Co-founder, Iwantmore.ai

Steve Phillips, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Zappi

Matthew Lintern, Global CEO, MMR Research Worldwide

10.00

Panel discussion

What drives growth and deal appeal in the insights sector

·        What do investors and acquirers look for in a research and insight business?

·        Which business models offer the most scalable growth with the least risk?

·        How can insight agencies boost their appeal to investors and strategic partners?

·        What does an investor relationship look like in practice and how does their presence at the board table change decision-making?

Jon Priest, Corporate & Financial Advisor, Capel Partners

Danielle Gillett CEO of EMB Group

Ben Leet, investor, board advisor and fractional C-Suite officer

10.30

Morning refreshments

11.00

Case study

Unifying people, process and purpose: from research firm to strategic transformation company

In 2020, faced with an evolving insights market, Populus chose to pivot from tech-led commoditisation to strategic consultancy by merging with research firm Decidedly and brand strategy agency BrandCap.

This session offers practical insights into agency transformation for leaders facing similar crossroads. It explores how the three companies integrated research and strategy cultures, overcame operational challenges, and restructured for unified growth. Hear how to navigate discomfort, break down silos, and build a culture that supports specialist expertise while delivering integrated client value.

Tom Wormald, Managing Partner, Yonder Consulting

11.20

Case study

From research to consultancy: lessons from Kantar Consulting’s journey

In 2018, Kantar Consulting launched, positioning itself as a growth consultancy to meet clients evolving needs and at a time when interest from management consultancies in the marketing services space was growing.

In this talk, Natalie Vander Vorst will outline Kantar Consulting’s business model, how it differs from traditional agency models and management consultancies, occupying a sweet spot. She’ll discuss different ways to work with clients, explaining how the consulting model aligns and interfaces with other Kantar divisions; both in terms of tensions and synergies. She’ll share how strategic consultants tangibly increase influence within client organisations and consider what this means for insight agencies looking to pivot.

Hear how Bain Capital’s majority ownership has further supercharged Kantars’ transformation journey, driving efficiencies, automation and new partnerships opportunities.

Natalie Vander Vorst, Managing Partner, Kantar Consulting

11.40

Workshop

Building high-impact client relationships that lead to growth for both

As client expectations shift, insight agencies are being asked to go from focusing on delivering insights, to focusing on becoming genuine growth partners. 

This session explores how to equip client service teams to lead with commercial confidence, set the agenda with clients, and spark the “what’s next” conversations that unlock opportunity. 

Discover how to make your teams commercially brilliant now and for the future and drive growth that benefits both agency and clients.

David Armes, Founder, 4twenty2

12.00

Comfort break

12.15

Round tables: growth, strategy & finance

Delegates are invited to choose one guided discussion to join, where they can delve into a specific business issue and benefit from a frank exchange of ideas with their industry peers.

1.      Mission: client success - the agency’s next role

Fiona Blades, President and CEO, MESH Experience

2.      Beyond the hype: getting started with AI safely and ethically

James Grant, Co-founder, Iwantmore.ai

3.      Building a consulting practice

Natalie Vander Vorst, Managing Partner, Kantar Consulting

4.      Tackling the vampire client: if clients are demanding more for less, how do we ensure insight projects remain profitable?

Richard Bryan, Managing Director, QA Research

5.      Smarter selling: gaining more growth from client interactions

David Armes, Founder, 4twenty2

6.      Exit strategies: packaging your business for sale

Jon Priest, Corporate & Financial Advisor, Capel Partners

7.      Trustworthy data, stronger growth: why quality matters more than ever

Shifra Cook, Founder and CEO, Ayda

8.      Driving organic growth through international expansion

James Endersby, CEO, Opinium

13.00

Lunch

Leadership, Team & Culture

14.20

Fireside chat

The rise and fall of Flamingo

Join an intimate conversation between Sarah and Kirsty covering the rise, the experience post-acquisition, and the fall of Flamingo, alongside critical advice and learnings for future agency leaders. This honest, reflective session, offers rare insights into the complete lifecycle of building, selling, and losing a prestigious business.

The rise: Kirsty shares how Flamingo grew into an $85M+ business without external funding, powered by a talent-centric culture, innovation, and a distinctive brand resulting from the unique dynamics of female co-CEOs.

Post-acquisition experience: Discover the realities of what worked and what didn't during the near decade long operating period post-acquisition.

The fall: A frank discussion about how an overnight decision changed everything. Hear how strategic corporate decisions devastated Flamingo during its prime and the complex realities of no longer being the owner.

This session promises actionable insights from a leader who has navigated the complete agency journey, from startup to successful exit to trusted advisor.

Dr Sarah Jenkins, Director, Magenta

In conversation with

Kirsty Fuller, Advisor (formerly, co-CEO, Flamingo)

14.45

Panel discussion

Enhancing employee experience and belonging through smarter talent strategies

Discover what talent strategies are proving most successful in boosting retention, engagement, and team culture. This panel explores a range of approaches to fostering belonging, supporting career growth, and creating inclusive environments for your team.

Chair:

Gemma Mitchell, Managing Director, The Mix

Panellists:

Howard Josephs, Founder, See Research

Charlotte Moody, Managing Director, Strat7 Researchbods

James Endersby, CEO, Opinium

15.15

Afternoon refreshments

15.45

Coaching

The inner edge: mastering the mindset for modern leadership

In today’s fast-paced agency world, leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about mindset. Explore the inner challenges leaders face, from imposter syndrome and decision fatigue to leading through uncertainty.

This session will equip leaders with grounded confidence and practical tools to build confidence, clarity and resilience, strengthening their presence and impact as a leader.

Rachael Fraser, Leadership Coach

16.10

Round tables: Leadership, Team & Culture

Delegates are invited to choose one guided discussion to join, where they can delve into a specific business issue and benefit from a frank exchange of ideas with their industry peers.

1.      AI in recruitment: assessing risks, skills and capabilities

Pam Armstrong, Partner, Daughters of Sailors

2.      Developing resilient leadership to thrive through adversity

Dr. Kenny Imafidon MBE

3.      Elevating employee experience

Cait Miskelly, Head of People, See Research

4.      Talent, team & culture

Sabine Cronick, CEO UK/EU, 2CV

5.      The future of face to face: overcoming operational and talent challenges

Adele Bearfield, Head of Offline Data Collection and Deputy Managing Director of Operations, Ipsos

6.      Useful lessons from Employee Ownership that can apply to any business

David Alterman, CEO, The Nursery

7.      Spotlighting lived experience of working class researchers of colour: a thought-starter to discuss how we can improve as an industry

Annabelle Phillips & Theresa Jones, MRS Social Equity Group

8.      Flexible working for team and turnover

Steph Almond, Managing Director, Tangible Branding

9.      No one is indispensable, including me: agency leader succession planning

Damien Field, Managing Director, MM Eye

16.55

Wrap-up Q&A

17.00

Sponsored drinks reception