Tailored support for every stage
of your agency journey.

According to the Wow Company’s latest benchmarking report, growth remains the biggest challenge for agency owners. Whilst there are countless resources, businesses and gurus that promise to solve this problem, they all lack a key missing ingredient: The power of peer-to-peer support to guide you on your agency journey. 

The Better Agency Programme provides this crucial peer-to-peer support alongside expert talks, events, and networking opportunities designed for agency leaders who want to take their agency to the next level, whatever that means for you.

As your agency grows, managing the ever-expanding list of tasks can be overwhelming. At The Agency Collective, we understand the common challenges you face and provide daily support to help you run a happy, healthy agency as you grow. 

Better Agency Programme Zoom Call

Growth on your terms.

Over 10 years of supporting our members, we know that growth means something different to each agency owner. Some might want the big exit, while others want to work fewer days or take the summer off with their families.

Whatever growth looks like to you, we can help you get there.

Create your ideal agency with expert guidance and peer support.

The Better Agency Programme is available to all members on the Grow membership. Each month, a different industry expert will deliver a focused module, covering essential themes such as:

  • Strategy
  • Sales & Marketing
  • People & Leadership
  • IT & Operations
  • Finance & Legal
  • Building Value & Exit Planning

How the Better Agency Programme works.

Module Format

  • Content Delivery: 45 minutes of expert content followed by a 15-minute Q&A session.
  • Discussion Groups: Optional 30-minute group discussions post-module.
  • Unified Learning: All members join the same video call for content; accountability groups are based on agency size.

You’ll join a cohort tailored to your agency’s size:

  • £100k – £500k
  • £500k – £1m
  • £1m – £3m

Programme Benefits

  • Access to All Modules: Includes previous recordings and content.
  • Agency Experts: Access to our team of agency experts 
  • Accountability Group: Join peers, collaborate and be held accountable.
  • Annual Agency Audit: Conducted by your Growth Expert.
  • Monthly New Business Clinics: Gain insights and strategies for growth.
  • Roundtable Discussions: Engage in hot topics relevant to agencies today.
  • Members’ Hub: Exclusive content and offers.
  • Community Manager: Quarterly check-ins to ensure progress.
  • Unlimited Introductions: Network with other agency owners.

The 7 Steps to Building your Dream Agency

Jonathan Leafe

1st Apr – 9:30am

Looking back on 40+ years in the industry, what advice would I give my younger self?

  • Plan for the journey; it won’t be a straight path but know where you’re headed.
    Build your dream team; you can’t do it alone; have a strong No. 2, 3, and 4.
  • Don’t bank on your agency as your pension, or you might be working until you’re 80.
  • Enjoy the ride! Agency ownership is a privilege (and occasionally, a delight).

What You’ll Discover in This Session:

  • Financial Planning for Agency Owners. How to grow personal wealth while running an agency.
  • Exit Planning Strategies. Preparing your agency for a lucrative sale or succession.
  • Mistakes to Avoid – The biggest financial and operational errors that can derail long-term success

About Jonathan Leafe

A veteran agency founder, mentor, and entrepreneur, as he shares battle-tested insights from decades in the industry. From pioneering creative tech in the 90s to building and selling a £3M agency, Jonathan has been through it all, and now he’s here to help you avoid common pitfalls and set yourself up for success.

People, Leadership & Building a Magnetic Agency

Nikki Gatenby

7th May – 9:30am

Do you know exactly where your agency is headed? Are you enjoying the journey? And is it attracting the right people to help you grow?

Or does it sometimes feel like a grind—running to stand still, feeling overwhelmed, and wondering if there’s a better way?

In this practical session on People and Leadership, Nikki Gatenby will share ideas and actionable strategies to help you create a clear vision, energize your team, and tackle the challenges you may be wrestling with. Wherever you are on the motivation scale, this session will give you fresh insights and a renewed sense of direction, and no question is off-limits.

In this session, you’ll discover how to:

  • Define a compelling agency vision that excites and motivates your team
  • Create a culture that attracts and retains the best talent
  • Implement leadership practices that drive growth—while having fun along the way

About Nikki Gatenby
With nearly three decades of experience leading and scaling agencies in London, Paris, and Brighton, Nikki Gatenby is an in-demand agency specialist NED and cognitive behavioural coach. She’s also the author of two best-selling books on the agency journey.

Client Services Excellence

Ben Hollom, Will Anderson & Helenka Hodnett

4th June- 9:30am

Client service sits at the heart of every successful agency. Get it right, and you’ll build long-term relationships, unlock growth, and create real value in your business. Get it wrong, and even the best creative work can struggle to make an impact.

In this special edition of The Better Agency Programme, we’re bringing you not just one expert but three guest speakers, each bringing their own perspective on what it takes to master client services—from legal foundations to growth strategies and frontline client management.

What will be covered in this session?

Building & Protecting Value in Your Agency – William Anderson, Clarke & Son

Understand the legal essentials every agency needs to safeguard client relationships, protect intellectual property, and prevent costly disputes.

Why Client Services Might Hold the Key to Unlocking Your Agency’s Growth – Ben Hollom

Discover how refining your client service approach can fuel sustainable agency growth—without the usual hustle of lead generation and hiring.

Lessons from 18 Years on the Frontline of Client Services – Helenka Hodnett, 438 Marketing

Get a real-world playbook on what great client service really looks like, how to build strong client relationships, and avoid common pitfalls.

This isn’t just another webinar—it’s an opportunity to rethink how you approach client services in your agency.

Hear some more from our members…

Our agency has been through a lot of change these past few years. The advice from the AC team, connections to agency owners and experts have given me all I needed to know to end up in a really strong position. If you're an agency owner looking to grow, you have to join The Agency Collective!

Becky SimmsFounder, Reflect Digital

“The people we meet and the things we learn at The Agency Collective are pure gold. The new business partnerships we've formed have been transformational. If you want to do the maths on an ROI, I'd say at least 100x the membership fee! All I can say is: Get involved as soon as possible.”

Samson OwolabiCo-founder, Bearded Fellows

For me, The Agency Collective is a temperature check of where the industry is right now - and how we’re all feeling about changes happening in the world on what feels like a daily basis. I’m not a natural networker, but it’s reassuring to find out what others are thinking - and to get some welcome advice too!

Jonny HubnerCo-founder, Sapna Group

It’s the security of a big network which is a real draw for me at the moment - especially with us all working remotely. The fact that it’s virtual is fantastic - I wouldn’t have been able to make events in person because of having young kids, but now I can join in and I don’t have to travel to London to be there!

Emily RyanFounder, Westfield Creative

We were 2 in the team when we joined The Agency Collective. Now we are are over 50 and still growing. We've learnt an immense amount from the epic community and the event speakers, and also made some great friends along the way!

Matthew Duhig & Tom SmithFounders, FX Digital

I don't know where I'd be now without The AC. It's helped me build a tribe of superb and intelligent people who all share similar challenges and want to help each other succeed; it's like having instant access to the holy grail of agency knowledge. There has never been a more important time to be part of a community like The AC.

Joe PerkinsMD, Chaptr Studio

Are you interested in learning more about our membership?

You can book a call directly with Rob Key, who will tell you all about our amazing community.