ABOUT US
We expertly craft campaigns that deliver results through the use of a wide range of media channels and online pay-per-click platforms.
Forward & Thinking
advertising agency
20+ EMPLOYEES
12+ INDUSTRIES
100+ CLIENTS
OUR VISION
To be the best agency possible for both clients and employees by always delivering what we promise.
We strive to always do what’s right for our clients and deliver a customer service and care that is the best in the industry.
Throughout our journey we will live and promote our values Listen, Care, Honest and Deliver.
DELIVER
We have an unparalleled thirst for knowledge. We’re never going to get comfortable.
We continuously strive to improve ourselves, our teams and our work.
We strive to wow our clients every time by getting the best results for them and delivering an amazing experience.
We let our clients shine.
OUR VALUES
LISTEN
We listen to other views, especially if they are different to ours – this helps us grow and broaden our horizons.
Everyone who works with us feels that theirs views are valued.
We value other peoples input, skills and expertise.
We offer guidance and advice.
We constantly strive to have the best relationship with our clients, colleagues and suppliers.
CARE
Brilliant ideas and teams are not developed in isolation – we bounce ideas off one another, help with workloads and offer advice when and where we can.
No room for single warriors: We all help each other and keep each other afloat when busy times arise!
We trust each other to work independently.
We continuously develop ourselves, expand our knowledge and expertise and share this with the team.
HONESTY
We do as we say and say as we do.
When issues arise we do not cover them up.
We address them and deal with them, finding the best solution.
Our level of transparency when dealing with clients is second to none: We’re refreshingly honest if we think it’s required to benefit the client. We take ownership of our actions. The good and the bad.
We work to the highest standards, always making sure we double check and proof work before it goes out. We do what’s best, not what’s easiest.
&
OUR TEAM
THE CLIENT OBSESSED
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![Jo Costello Head of Business development]()
Jo Costello
Head of Business Development
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![Darren Clewes Account manager]()
Darren Clewes
Group Sales Director
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Sally Groome
Business Development Manager
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![Natalie Downie Managing Director at Forward & Thinking]()
Natalie Downie
Managing Director
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![Ali Johnson Founder at Forward & Thinking]()
Alison Johnson
Founder
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![Andrew Johnson Founder at Forward & Thinking]()
Andrew Johnson
Founder
CHANNEL EXPERTS
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![Matthew Ryder Head of Planning and strategy]()
Matthew Ryder
Head of Planning & Strategy (Digital)
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![Natalea Walker Head of Planning & strategy (OOH)]()
Natalea Walker
Head of Planning & Strategy (OOH)
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![Emily Redpath Media Planning Manager]()
Emily Redpath
Media Planning Manager
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![Andy Sterling Media Planner]()
Andy Sterling
Media Planner
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![Kitty Fox-Norris Senior Digital Marketing Executive]()
Kitty Fox-Norris
Senior Digital Marketing Executive
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Charley England
Digital Marketing Executive
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![Phoebe Carrick Digital marketing assistant]()
Phoebe Carrick
Digital Marketing Assistant
CAMPAIGN MANAGERS
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![Fiona Downie Campaign Manager]()
Fiona Downie
Campaign Manager
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![Chloe Brown Senior Booking Executive]()
Chloe Brown
Senior Booking Executive
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![Campaign Management Assistant]()
Nina Jackson
Campaign Assistant
THE ENABLERS
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Tracy Ferry
Accounts Assistant
EMILY Redpath
ALISON JOHNSON
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods, with regular review points. We will encourage customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to do the same.
Some of our initiatives:
Ensure our suppliers align with our sustainability requirements when onboarding – ensuring the advertising landscape is evolving
Achieve carbon negativity ahead of target (2025)
Eliminate single use plastics completely from our offices and activities
LED efficient lighting to be maintained throughout our estate
Smart plugs and motion detectors will be used to reduce unnecessary heating/lighting
We will promote the use of travel alternatives such as e-mail or video/phone conferencing
We can supply our full environmental, sustainability and carbon policies requests.
OUR ECO AMBASSADORS
Cultivates environmental responsibility by leading and training to promote sustainable practices across the group, encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours among peers.
FIONA DOWNIE
As part of our continued support we now offer all our employees and their families access to the Bupa Employee Assistance Programme.
MENTAL HEALTH At FORWARD & THINKING
Forward & Thinking prides itself on the people culture we have implemented for all our employees and into our day-to-day working life. We are honest, caring and great listeners to one another. When we have a hard day at work we know our team will be supportive to push you to do your best.
Our founders, Alison and Andrew Johnson have prioritised mental health in the workplace through our culture. More importantly, they’ve asked members of our team to come forward if they wanted to qualify as mental health ambassadors. They’ve also put into place HR mental health processes and policies to reinforce the successful culture we have. Their “aim is to create a culture where people can work together well, feel motivated and thrive.”
Fiona Downie, our campaign manager and ambassador for mental health, comments that ‘having a support network within the business gives employees the opportunity to talk to someone who can be impartial and not necessarily in their day-to-day work lives, hopefully making it easier for people to reach out.’ Likewise Hailey Fryatt, office administrator and mental health ambassador, says ‘it’s important for people to know it’s okay to not be okay.’
OUR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS
Our mental health first aider’s role is to act as a first point of contact for people with mental health issues, providing a confidential and safe space to listen and sign-post. As well as being someone to talk to whenever they are struggling, a mental health first aider also acts as an advocate for mental health in the workplace, helping to reduce stigmas and enact positive change.
GIVING BACK
We believe in giving back. Here at F&T we care about making the world a better place and are passionate about supporting a good cause. Every year, we hold a team vote giving our employees a chance to vote for their favourite charities. The results are used to inform our decision of our chosen charity for the year ahead who we support through team fundraising activities.
OUR CHARITY
East Yorkshire Foodbank opened in May 2016 to give people in crisis hope, practical help, and a brighter future. The Foodbank is a project funded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.
They provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred from a crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
east yorkshire foodbank
HOW WE’RE HELPING
BAKE SALE
Christmas is just around the corner and with it lots of baking fun! Stay tuned for the next British Bake Off at Forward & Thinking.
CHARITY WALK
We walked 10k to support our chosen charity of the year, @andysmanclubuk. Thank you to the team and everyone who donated!
CHARITY BOXING MATCH
Our team joined GCGF Events for a charity boxing match in aid of Andy’s Man Club. An amazing event for a fantastic cause!