Chichester event company acquires one of UK’s top design agencies
AN innovative experiential company has acquired one of its industry’s leading design agencies as part of plans for growth and expansion.
Collaborate, based in Donnington, Chichester has just signed a deal to acquire London-based Banbury Walker Studio as part of its plans to accelerate its creative offering.
Collaborate works with brands across the world, including its main local client, Goodwood, to design and execute physical, virtual and hybrid events globally.
Launched six years ago, the brand has seen continuous growth despite the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to excel, working with high-profile clients such as Aston Martin and BAE.
Collaborate’s founder, Ben McMahon said: ‘We’ve enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with Banbury Walker for many years now, so we naturally jumped at the chance to bring them fully into the Collaborate family.
‘Their endless creativity, technical expertise, and dedication to excellence – from concept through to execution – is crucial to our aim of delivering ever more engaging and inspirational experiences for brands and their customers.’
The acquisition will see Banbury Walker’s two directors join Collaborate in full-time roles.
Founder and director Andrew Walker will become Collaborate’s executive creative director, while his co-founder-and-director Sam Banbury will take up a role as head of technical creative content.
Andrew said: ‘We’re delighted to join the Collaborate team. There’s a tremendous sense of energy behind the agency at the moment – they’ve capitalised brilliantly on the category’s changing trends, have a fantastic roster of clients, and embrace innovation. It’s a company that’s going places, and we wanted to be on board for the journey.’
Founded 12 years ago, Banbury Walker’s experience covers live event design, exhibitions, interior architecture, graphic design, 3D design and augmented and virtual reality.
Ben hopes that the purchase will allow the company to work with more talented freelancers and creatives both in the Chichester area and beyond.
He also looks forward to being able to expand Collaborate’s offering, adapting to changes within the industry.
He said: ‘The industry has evolved so dramatically over the last few years, and there’s more change coming. We need to be match-fit for the next phase: Banbury Walker have been tasked with building an in-house studio fit for every kind of brand experience: physical, digital, hybrid, and beyond to the metaverse.’
