20 Years of Arch
How the story started…
Arch Creative was founded by Joe and Luke, friends and colleagues who had spent five years working together at a previous agency. When the opportunity arose to build something of their own, they took it.
What began in a spare bedroom has grown into a respected creative agency. Along the way there’s been plenty of hard work, a brilliant cast of talented people, and the trust of some fantastic clients – some of whom have been with us since day one.
This is the story of Arch Creative…
2006–2007
From bedroom to boardroom
In their late twenties, Joe and Luke launched Arch Creative from Joe’s spare bedroom. The small room was packed with aging Apple Macs with monitors the size of TVs. The name Arch reflected their values: strong, supportive and open.
Early clients included James Sellicks and Leicester City Council – relationships that still continue today. Within six months, the team moved above The Lansdowne pub. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked.
Darren joined to support operations, while Gavin came on board as a freelance designer. The business grew steadily, fuelled by persistence, trusted relationships and early wins with clients like electronics giant Sanyo.
2008–2009
Finding our feet
Arch delivered a landmark animated campaign for Sanyo at “the world’s most recognised advertising spot” at Piccadilly Circus.
Meanwhile, the global financial crisis was hitting hard. We were progressing well with our work in the property development sector, but the credit crunch affected this. Arch weathered the storm by keeping overheads low and expanded into sport and hospitality, working with Leicester City Football Club, and Compass Group – one of the world’s largest food service companies – at major venues including The O2 and The Millennium Stadium. More football followed, with projects for clubs including Chelsea, West Ham, Reading and Sheffield United.
2010–2011
A new home on Rutland Street
The team expanded, taking over their London Road studio before outgrowing it completely.
A chance discovery led to a new home on Rutland Street in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter – a defining move into a renovated Victorian shoe factory that gave Arch space, identity and momentum for the future (and perfectly placed opposite Manhattan 34 bar).
The studio also upgraded its computers: smaller Macs with significantly more RAM, helping improve speed and efficiency.
Fun Fact
Our unofficial VIP lounge
Being based just around the corner from Curve Theatre has had its perks. The bar directly opposite the studio has become an unlikely celebrity watching spot over the years. Among those we’ve witnessed passing through are the late boxer Ricky Hatton, comedians Les Dennis and Lesley Joseph, X-Factor winners Alexandra Burke and Sam Bailey, Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood – and, on one memorable occasion, Bono and The Edge from U2.
2012–2013
Culture, creativity & big names
Arch’s work diversified into fashion and global tech as we created campaigns for Pretty Polly and Samsung, and the agency built a reputation for creative versatility. New designers joined, strengthening the next generation of talent.
Arch ventured into the film industry, working with Elstree Studio Productions and Film Soho to produce posters and branding for films including gangster thrillers. Joe even appeared as an extra in one scene seated next to a then unknown Tyson Fury, who confidently predicted he would one day become heavyweight champion of the world one day.
2014–2015
Momentum & recognition
This period marked rapid growth and national recognition as we worked with brands including Sekonda, Accurist, Hanwha, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines and Gino D’Acampo, while winning Leicester Mercury Business of the Year.
The team also partnered with Ikano Bank (part of IKEA) to launch a major UK campaign transitioning their services from B2B to direct-to-consumer.
Arch created nostalgic packaging for a new Thorntons range. Illustrations of their founders were based on photos of Joe and Luke posing with bikes, whisks and spoons. Reports circulate that Brad Pitt bought Angelina Jolie a modest £3 box of her favourite Thorntons Toffee as her only wedding gift.
It was an iconic time for the team too: a midsummer barge trip and the first of several Arch Christmas videos – a Slade-inspired band performance by the team that proved a big hit with clients.
2016
A decade of design
Arch celebrated 10 years in style with a team trip to Wrocław, Poland – the 2016 European City of Culture.
The agency won a major RAR Award and began working with MTV across Europe. Meanwhile, our client Leicester City’s historic Premier League win made the anniversary even more unforgettable.
Fun Fact
Front-row seats to history
We’ve had a surprising number of historic moments pass right by our studio doorstep. In 2012, the London Olympic torch relay came through, carried by Gary Lineker. Not long after, the remains of King Richard III were discovered just around the corner – and in 2015, his funeral cortege passed directly outside the studio. Then in 2016, Leicester City Football Club defied 5000-to-1 odds to win the Premier League, with their victory parade rolling past us during our tenth anniversary year. Not a bad view. What next?
2017–2019
Purpose, partnerships & impact
Arch evolved beyond design into purpose-driven work.
From rebranding national organisations like British Wheelchair Basketball to award-winning NHS campaigns and Department for Transport initiatives, the agency built a strong reputation in health, wellbeing and behaviour change.
Arch’s reputation in the Arts and Culture sector continued to grow, with campaigns including Uncover the Story, Taste the Place and Independent Leicester. Cultural projects like Mods: Shaping a Generation further cemented its role in storytelling and community impact.
2020–2021
Resilience & reinvention
COVID-19 forced rapid change, with the team shifting to remote working and adapting to uncertainty.
Despite challenges, Arch delivered major projects including the Leicester Museums & Galleries rebrand and launched Street Stories, transforming empty city spaces into digital public art.
Arch helped launch BrewBeat, a free craft beer and music festival created after the team approached BID Leicester with the concept. Produced by BID Leicester with partners HQ Recording, FunkNation and Steamin’ Billy Brewing Co., the inaugural event attracted over 4,000 visitors.
In the year that client video calls became the norm, the agency also began working more closely with global PR firm We Communications, leading to projects with international brands including Intel, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson and Leo Pharma.
2022–2025
Expansion & new horizons
Arch entered a new phase of growth – expanding sectors, services and scale.
Key projects included national campaigns, global partnerships and major cultural exhibitions like Punk: Rage & Revolution which won the National Lottery Project of the Year Award for England.
Community initiatives like BrewBeat grew significantly, now with over 10,000 visitors. Street Stories launched in Wolverhampton, featuring a collaboration with legendary graffiti artist and drum & bass pioneer Goldie. New collaborations with organisations like Social Gallery CIC extended impact beyond commercial work. Arch was invited to judge and sponsor the Leicester Museums Open Exhibition, an event the team continues to support with its ‘Rising Stars’ award.
We began a partnership with Our Future Health, helping to launch the UK’s largest health research programme – and Arch was also commissioned by British Canoeing to help rename and rebrand the organisation as Paddle UK.
Internally, the team expanded across digital, social and content, supported by new talent, tools and facilities.
2026
20 years on & looking forward
Twenty years on, Arch enters its next chapter.
With a refreshed brand and a clear ‘Better World’ vision, the agency continues to grow as a strategic partner to organisations locally and globally.
Through creativity, collaboration and community-driven work, Arch remains focused on making a meaningful difference thanks to the people behind it, past and present, along with the clients, collaborators and partners who have been part of the journey.
Thanks to all of our team members, suppliers and clients for the last 20 years (there’s too many to mention them all here). Here’s to the next chapter.