Manchester design startup targets £500k turnover after ‘solid’ first year

Design startup BGN is targeting a £500k turnover and job creation on the back of a ‘solid’ first year in business.

The Manchester-based company, a strategic brand-led design agency, generated sales of £380k in its first 12 months but expects that figure to skyrocket.

Since its launch in April 2017, BGN has secured briefs with listed US firm NETSOL Technologies, drinks giant Carlsberg, fitness brand V1BE and skincare company Natural Therapy London, among others.

The agency was founded by Antonio Giansante, Paul Bailey and David Newton, all of whom previously worked for Manchester brand and web agency AHOY.

Operations director Antonio commented: “Following our first year in business we have a solid platform to now push on and hit £500k.

“It’s been a strong first year for BGN and we’re proud to have completed projects for several big-name companies.”

He continued: “We are now looking to grow the team to eight after recently winning both repeat business and the likes of NETSOL Technologies.

“Myself, Paul and David have been together for a long time and all have exactly the same view on how an agency should be run and structured.”

BGN is based at property firm Bruntwood’s flagship £8m Neo building.

Speaking further, Antonio said: “Moving straight into Neo with six staff was quite a bold move for an agency startup. But we did it because we wanted to give the type of clients we were trying to attract the same level of service that you get at a large agency.

“What we now have at BGN is all the process of a 100-man agency with the view for it to scale.”

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