FutureKings acquired by Mr B & Friends

The acquisition of FutureKings by the UK-based independent brand consultancy is a response to the rapid growth of demand seen for brand strategy in the SME segment.

Launched in 2016 by executive creative director Steven Anderson and managing director Ben Mott, London and Bristol-based FutureKings aims to develop brand strategy and identity programmes to support ambitious start-ups and scale-up businesses. Following rapid business growth since its inception, it now employs 10 full time staff across the two cities.

Simon Barbato, Mr B & Friends founder and CEO, says, “There’s something almost romantic about this union. Steve and I first met and worked together in 1995 at Light & Coley in London, and we had discussed starting an agency together before I launched Mr B & Friends. To now have the chance to rekindle that relationship is just wonderful.

“But let’s be clear, this is a strategic acquisition. We have long been admirers of the work that FutureKings produces for this segment of the market – it’s truly first class, and it’s a segment we’re also active in, having launched our brand accelerator programme Beta three years ago. Our aim is to leverage the FutureKings brand to accelerate this dynamic part of the market, helping more SMEs and early-stage companies to gain a competitive category advantage through brand development.”

Relocating to the Mr B & Friends Bristol city centre headquarters, FutureKings is set to keep its brand, team, clients, processes and systems. The London team, however, will eventually reopen as the Mr B & Friends London office, which is seen as crucial to the agency’s growth strategy. The eventual plan is for Mr B & Friends to have a US presence.

Ben Mott, FutureKings managing director, adds, “From the first discussion about this acquisition, the mutual benefits and opportunities for both companies were obvious. Steve and I have been looking for the right way to grow, and this deal gives FutureKings the perfect platform.

“Our mutual ambitions for the future are clearly aligned; growth in Bristol, London and the US, delivering our proven processes to a wider range of SME and early-stage businesses. We’re thrilled we’ve made this happen and are excited about the next phase of our journey.”