Comms agency finds ‘perfect place’ to grow

A specialist communications agency working with leading healthcare and pharmaceutical brands has opened a new headquarters in Sunderland to support its growth plans.

IGNIFI has relocated its 25-strong team of marketeers, content writers and creatives to a 1650sq ft office at Sunderland Software Centre.

Founded in Washington in 1982, the agency previously operated from a converted three-storey townhouse in West Sunniside.

IGNIFI considered several locations across the North East before engaging with Sunderland City Council’s business investment team and selecting the Software Centre.

Bosses have described the new office as “the perfect place for them”, with the single-floor space providing capacity for further recruitment while supporting greater collaboration and a smoother onboarding experience for new starters.

John Horn, managing director of IGNIFI, said: “We are thrilled to have joined the Sunderland Software Centre community, which is home to dozens of innovative tech and creative businesses.

“We have established a fantastic team in the North East whose incredible work over the years has seen us become a trusted partner for brands across the continent and hopefully this new office will help further build on that.

“Our Sunniside office has served us well over the past ten years, however, by bringing our teams together on one floor and providing us with the space required to grow, it will enable us to work more collaboratively as a business and ensure that those who join in the future receive the best possible welcome.

“It’s a great move for the company and a real show of faith in the business from our owners.”

John added: “Being part of a community of fellow creative, tech and healthcare businesses was a real draw for us as it provides our team with those invaluable touchpoints that spur conversations that would perhaps never happen when working in isolation. 

“The centre is also in a fantastic location with easy access to parking and public transport routes, which was the key motivator in our decision as we have staff from North Tyneside down to Teesside, so it just ticked all of the boxes.”

The agency is continuing to receive council support, including guidance on potential funding opportunities and business support programmes.

Its arrival follows recent relocations to the centre by Mondays Design and Civia Health.

The North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) was also recently appointed by Sunderland City Council as managing agent for its portfolio of business centres, including the Software Centre.

Councillor James Jackson, cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, added: “IGNIFI is a fantastic success story for the city, having created scores of high-quality jobs for local people, while flying the flag for the city’s creative industry across Europe and beyond.

“The company could have moved anywhere however the fact that it has continued to invest in Sunderland is testament to the wide range of fantastic office space and business support available to businesses at every stage of their journey. 

“We are proud to have been able to support the company’s move to Sunderland Software Centre and are delighted that it is the latest in a string of growing creative and tech businesses to have chosen to do business here.”

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