Yorkshire trumps Manchester as North's digital capital

Prolific North teamed up with Mustard Research and BVD to analyse digital agencies by turnover, profitability, balance sheet, headcount and growth.

Leeds-based StickyEyes, owned by Craig Chalmers, topped the list, beating Amaze and Epiphany into second and third places.

Publisher Nick Jaspan said: “The digital scene in the North is thriving. Not only are the agencies on this list building extremely successful businesses operating nationally and internationally, but they have also managed to attract even more big brands as clients than their peers in the traditionally larger integrated agencies.

“The spread of the agencies across the North is satisfying to see: from Liverpool and Chester to Manchester, Lancaster, Leeds and up to Durham and Stockton-on-Tees. But it is the presence of seven Yorkshire agencies in the top ten which is particularly compelling, agencies across this patch are flying.

“And the health of the digital scene in the North is encouraging. The broader Leeds market is also home to Sky and its substantial digital presence with over 1,500 staff - and recruiting - while Manchester has a similar number employed in digital at the BBC’s northern base in Salford: both global media brands which have chosen to focus their global digital platforms in the North.

“It would appear that ‘Northshoring’ is taking place as an increasing number of London-based organisations see the value of establishing or expanding digital activities in the North.”