99% of Active Agencies Across the UK Are Independent of Big 7 Holding Companies

The collaborative new analysis by Agency by Agency and the Alliance of Independent Agencies ‘Uncovering the UK Independent Agency Landscape’ will be fully revealed on Tuesday 18th March 2025 and shows that 99% of the active agencies across the UK are independent of the big seven holding companies (25,320 of 25,495).

The mapping highlights that independent agencies generate a combined estimated turnover of £26.7bn and contribute approximately £17.7bn GVA to the UK economy. Together they employ over a quarter of a million people (232,617).

This new collaboration between data mapping and insight platform Agency by Agency and The Alliance of Independent Agencies offers independent agencies a fuller understanding of the wider market, making it easier to benchmark performance, identify trends, and make informed strategic decisions.

Full launch: join the virtual event on 18th March 2025.

To learn more about the analysis and how they can benefit your agency, the Alliance of Independent Agencies will be hosting a virtual event led by Agency by Agency exclusively for members at 11am on Tuesday 18th March. This session will explore the key insights, discuss implications for the industry, and provide a first look at how agencies can use this data to their advantage. Register now at [insert website] or contact [insert contact details] for more information.

Alliance of Independent Agency members will receive a free summary of the data mapping on 18th March. The full report will be available as part of Agency by Agency’s subscription service representing an unprecedented opportunity to gain clarity on their position within the industry. The full subscription will allow you to categorise agencies across the whole of the agency sector based on the services they provide, mapping 28 distinct agency sub sectors including areas such as design and branding, SEO, PR and communications and market research. Alliance of Independent Agencies will receive an Agency by Agency subscription discount of 10% with code INDIE10.

Clive Mishon, co-chair of the Alliance of Independent Agencies said, “The independent agency sector has long been a vital part of the UK’s creative economy, and the full scale of its impact is now even clearer. This report and the launch of Agency by Agency’s new data mapping and insights platform gives independent agencies an invaluable resource to guide decision-making, highlight strengths, and uncover new opportunities for development.”