Harvard

Harvard entered 2024 with a bold mission: to reset, rebuild, and reclaim its future following a turbulent period in the tech sector, and within the agency. Under the empathetic and smart leadership of MD Lorna Hughes and executive chair Rachel Friend, who joined in 2023 from W and Weber Shandwick, the agency restructured, revitalised its culture, and doubled down on creativity and innovation. By the end of the year, it had already secured 70% of its 2025 revenue target, such was the speed of its transformation.

The agency delivered an 80% new business win rate, securing clients including Salesforce, Getty Images, OPPO, OnePlus, and SnapLogic. Organic growth contributed £1.8m, while 22 new clients added £2.8m in annualised revenue heading into 2025. Harvard’s commitment to creative bravery was reflected in campaigns such as the rebrand of EV company EVC into Roam, which positioned the brand as an innovative leader in the charging sector, and the UK launch of streaming service Tubi, which generated over 100 pieces of coverage in a competitive media landscape.

The agency moved away from siloed operations to a unified model, creating five specialist tech practices covering AI, robotics, quantum, and other high-growth areas. A newly integrated strategy and creative team, led by an award-winning executive creative director, brought a fresh approach to B2B and tech communications, challenging the traditional boundaries of the sector.

Harvard’s focus on innovation led to the launch of Insights-as-a-Service, a tool providing deep audience analysis beyond traditional social listening. This gave clients unprecedented access to closed online spaces and specialist interest groups, allowing them to understand their audiences more effectively and tailor their strategies accordingly.

Cultural reinvigoration was another major achievement. Staff NPS rose from 6.9 to 8.0, while retention improved from 40% in 2023 to 72% in 2024. The agency retained its Blueprint accreditation for DE&I, earned Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer status, and developed trans inclusion guidance, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to an inclusive workplace. Harvard also became one of only 41 UK agencies to voluntarily submit data to PRWeek’s Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap report.— MPS