Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 17.07.2025 
This year marks Reading Room’s first time entering the UK Agency Awards, and we’re proud (and a little stunned, honestly) to have been shortlisted in not just one but three categories: B2B Agency of the Year (Large), Development Agency of the Year, and Independent Agency of the Year (Large).
We’ve been around for nearly three decades, quietly delivering digital transformation work for organisations across the UK. But in the past 18 months, we have seen a real positive shift, internally, structurally, even culturally. Entering these awards was less about chasing recognition, and more about stepping forward, sharing who we are now, and what we’re building next.
Who We Are
Reading Room is a 60+ strong digital agency with teams based in London, Bristol, the North West, and now globally too, with new hubs in Portugal, India, and the Philippines. We specialise in complex digital engineering, including platform builds, CMS/CRM integrations, user-centred design, and long-term strategic consultancy.
We work with clients who care about lasting impact. From national charities and housing associations to public sector bodies and travel brands, our projects are often long-running partnerships rooted in trust and shared values. Our clients tend to stick around (many for 8+ years), and we like it that way.
Why Enter Now?
We’ve entered awards before, and have been proud to see our work recognised, particularly when it supports causes we care about. But this year’s UK Agency Awards shortlisting feels like a step-change.
2024/25 has been a defining year for Reading Room. Not because of one campaign or big client win, but because of the broader transformation we’ve driven across the business. We’ve shifted from a broad ‘full-service’ model to a more focused, tech-led agency. We’ve also enhanced how we deliver, invested in scalable international infrastructure, and doubled down on internal development, tools and culture.
We’re growing, not just in size, but in clarity, maturity, and momentum.
From new partnerships and team growth, to being awarded a Royal Warrant by His Majesty The King, this year has given us plenty to be proud of. Entering the UK Agency Awards was a chance for us to reflect on how far we’ve come, whilst stepping confidently into what’s next.
Work That Matters
Our shortlisted entries focus on our role as a dependable, technically mature partner delivering meaningful digital transformation. Here are just a few recent client highlights:
- UK Coaching: A reimagined digital platform integrating CMS, CRM, and behavioural data tools. It’s helped the charity scale its reach and revenue.
- Riviera Travel: A future-friendly design system that allows the brand to manage multiple websites from a single, efficient platform, without compromising on UX or brand consistency.
- CPRD (Clinical Practice Research Datalink): A project that’s improving access to vital NHS health data tools, and currently being enhanced with AI to power even better research.
Our Culture
We talk a lot about digital transformation, but we’ve been just as intentional about internal transformation.
Reading Room has always been a place where people grow and stay. In the past year, we’ve doubled down on that, creating clearer pathways for progression, tripling the number of internal promotions, and quadrupling access to training. We’ve also rolled out new systems to support hybrid work, team collaboration, and wellbeing.
From our regular ‘open retros’, to how we shape leadership roles, the emphasis is on trust, transparency, and autonomy. People here are supported to thrive, not just deliver.
Staff retention remains one of our proudest stats:
- 40% of the team has been with us for 5+ years
- Nearly 30% have been here for a decade or more
- Some have even left and come back, which tells us we’re doing something right.
‘It’s a supportive, curious, and quietly ambitious place to work. There’s no ego, just a shared focus on doing great work and constantly learning.’
– Rushell Clarke, Client Partner
What It Means to Be Shortlisted
For our team, the shortlisting has landed as a moment of validation. Not just for the work we’re doing now, but for the choices we’ve made to evolve, quietly, intentionally, and in a way that’s true to who we are.
‘It’s a proud moment for the whole team. We’ve grown, sharpened our focus, and it’s great to see that progress acknowledged at this level.’
– Polly Lygoe, Managing Director
‘We entered because we believe in the work we’re doing, and the people behind it. Being recognised across three categories is a huge moment for the team.’
– Tom Kilbride, Marketing Manager
What’s Next
Whether or not we come home with a trophy, the journey to this point has already been worth it. It’s given us space to reflect, to celebrate, and to connect with a wider network of brilliant agencies doing thoughtful, creative work across the UK. The team are already excited to attend the awards ceremony – we love any excuse to get everyone together for a celebration!
We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done, building digital platforms that make a difference, supporting our clients to grow and adapt, and creating a culture our team is proud to be part of.
You can find out more about us on our website, or follow our journey on LinkedIn.
A huge thank you to the UK Agency Awards team and judges for the recognition – we can’t wait to see you in September!
