About us

Not your average communications agency.

Who wants average? We do things differently here in Shropshire. A barn for an office. Clients that include local businesses alongside international organisations. An owner who’s the first face you see through the door, not the last. Awards for everything from e-commerce to PR. And as you’d expect next to a farm, we call a spade a spade. So, when we talk about real results, that’s exactly what we mean.

 

How we work

What makes us, us.

A lot of caffeine. Plus loads of creativity, collaboration, integrity and a commitment to the nature right outside our door.

Creativity
It’s always been at the heart of what we do. And it always will be. Creativity to us is about doing things differently. Turning questions into answers and challenges into possibilities. Inspiring clients, engaging customers and transforming results.

Collaboration
Teamwork makes all of us work, better. Whether that’s with you as part of your team, with your clients and stakeholders, with other agencies or in our own studio. It all adds to greater understanding, smarter insight, sharper creative and stronger results.

Integrity
We work hard to earn your trust and even harder to keep it. When we promise to do something, we do it. Honestly and ethically at all times.

Sustainability
We chose to base ourselves in the country because we love the countryside. That’s why we only source print using FSC certified papers and less harmful vegetable-based inks. We buy energy from renewable sources and work with data centres who source their power responsibly.

 

Years of experience.

Look how we’ve grown.

We’re 29 this year. We’ve come a long way from homeworking at Ben’s kitchen table. Now, we’re a highly specialised 7-strong team with over 165 years’ experience between us. We work with our clients to create strong brands, memorable customer experiences and repeatable results. From strategy and research to branding, design and digital. Along the way, we’ve won recognition for our work, including:

  • Commendation at the PR Week Awards in 1999
  • Shropshire Chamber Achiever Award 2000
  • National Winner 2003 E-Commerce Awards
  • Best Rural Digital, Communication or Media Business Rural
  • Business Awards West Midlands 2020
  • National Runner up Best Rural Digital, Communication or Media
  • Business Rural Business Awards UK 2020

Our clients.

You’re in good company.

What’s that saying? You can tell a lot about someone from the company they keep. We work for international clients from around the globe and local businesses from across the county. We’ve launched best-selling products, helped raise millions for charity, supported local economies, grown international markets and reached out to millions of customers. And best of all, we’re still doing it.

 

We’re a people (and dogs) business.

Meet the team.

Meet Ben
Ben started The Visual Works 29 years ago, turning his passion for design into his life. On the rare occasions he’s not in the office, Ben can be found injuring himself at skate parks with his youngest son or on the decks making people dance.

Meet Luke
A Senior Designer with over 20 years’ experience, including 12 years running his own design studios. Likes real ale, whisky and playing sport (not all at the same time).

Meet Jules
Designer, web designer and animator for over 20 years. Jules is our one-man creative studio. As the office coiffeur (his words not ours) Jules provides an added service regularly cutting everyone’s hair.

Meet Carl
A full stack developer with stacks of knowledge. Carl has been developing websites for over 30 years and with Danielle, has helped us build more than 1000. Certified always right about everything – yes there is a certificate.

Meet Danielle
Front end developer and self-appointed tea quality control officer (golden brown with a dash of milk in case you’re wondering), Danielle has been creating websites for more than 30 years.

Meet Vicky
The real boss. Vicky has been the agency’s Financial Director for the last 20 years. Passionate about Cadbury’s Dairy Milk (it HAS to be Cadbury’s) and all kinds of ice cream. Compulsively tidy and scary when angry. As she will be when she reads this.

Meet Sox
Vicky’s assistant. A dab paw at VAT and tax returns. Sox doubles up as the office hoover, most effectively after lunch. Visitors can be assured of a friendly though slightly muddy welcome, unless you’re the postman.

Meet Ell
Much loved for bringing the office average age down by 15 years, Elliott’s youthful appearance belies his 7 solid years’ design experience. Winner of Chilli Fest’s 2022 eating competition, Ell is hot on design trends – less so on making tea.

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