Specialist marketing agency relocates to creative cluster
Specialist marketing and PR agency Lesniak Swann has relocated to a growing hub for creative businesses in Stoke-on-Trent.
Following a series of international client wins, the agency has moved into the refurbished heritage building at Spode – a location for the “createch” community. Lesniak Swann counts brands such as Michelin, Finning UK and Ireland, Polypipe and Etex as clients.
The office is a former workshop for the famous Spode brand that would have housed pottery industry creatives such as throwers, designers and painters. It was recently renovated as part of a project led by Stoke-on-Trent City Council
The businesses at Spode provide more than 150 jobs and bring more than £10m to the city in terms of direct revenue and business for their local suppliers.
Alex Swann, managing director of Lesniak Swann said: “We’re excited to be based in a cluster of like-minded but complementary businesses that has a real sense of momentum behind it – I know for a fact there is a waiting list for office space in other parts of the site.
“The move will support our continued growth in a number of ways, not only because we’d be near to a decent hostelry again. Being based close to our peers means easier collaboration to share best practice. It’s also hugely important to attracting and keeping the great talent coming out of both Staffordshire and Keele universities as graduates can see there is a clear route to finding a well-paid creative job locally within a support network of businesses.
“Crucially, all of the createch businesses work with big brands here in the UK and further afield, so talented people don’t have to look outside of the area to build an impressive CV right out of university”.
Cllr Duncan Walker, cabinet member for planning, climate change and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council added: “We welcome Lesniak Swann to the Spode site and are delighted to be able offer the high calibre facilities that local specialist businesses need to grow.
“The character and creativity of the past, combined with the latest technology is a fantastic offer to showcase the creative and digital talent of today.
“Our enterprise spaces are an exciting addition to the employment mix for the city, and at Spode mark the enormous potential of the site. With the wider site plans in development and a flourishing digital and creative community, we can attract and provide opportunities for the talent coming from our universities and colleges and retain these skills in the city.”
