• Swindon & Wiltshire Governance
• Thursday February 5 2026

Employee ownership for Swindon creative agency

Swindon-based creative agency GEL Studios has become employee-owned, awarding a 30 per cent stake to its in-house team.

Under the new Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme with Vestd, 30 per cent of the business has been allocated to current and future team members, formally recognising their contribution and strengthening the agency’s commitment to shared success.

Employee-owned companies are known to drive productivity, improve employee retention and increase the long-term value and sustainability of businesses.

By combining employee ownership with responsible growth, the agency aims to build a sustainable future for both its people and its clients.

The move supports GEL Studios’ five-year strategy which will strengthen its local presence and enhance client services, initiated with the appointment of new directors Carly Smith and James Phipps in 2025.

Operating from its dedicated studio in South Marston, the B-Corp Certified agency is a trusted long-term partner to its clients. Its in-house team combines strategy with exceptional creative execution, elevating brands, delivering pixel-perfect graphic design, building cutting-edge websites, and delivering marketing strategies that achieve measurable results. More information about GEL Studios can be found at www.gelstudios.co.uk.

Graeme Leighfield, founder of GEL Studios said: “I have always been clear that GEL Studios is, and will remain, a collective team effort. Exploring an employee ownership scheme felt like a natural next step in formally recognising the people who contribute to our success.

“This is a key moment for the business, and I am extremely proud to be able to share ownership with those who have supported our journey as well as those who will help shape its future.”