As we near the end of 2025, we’re reflecting on a successful year for Smith. In our last blog of the year, we’re reflecting on our highlights from this year, what we’ve learnt, and setting our goals for 2026.
Oli – Managing Director / Founder
Highlight of the Year
Watching the team grow and take on new challenges, including working with the North West retailer Booths and a new website for Age Co stairlifts.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
This has been the hardest year in business to date. We’ve won a lot of work this year and recruited new people. We’ve been in a growth phase which has brought its own challenges but it’s all about relationships, both as a business and with our clients.
Goal for Next Year
Keep pushing the standards of our work, developing the team and finding the next talent to bring us towards our vision.
Matthew – Graphic & Motion Designer
Highlight of the Year
Being able to look back and see clearly how I have progressed as a designer, and the confidence I have gained with that both in my work and myself.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
I’ve learnt to be more self-reliant as a designer, going and getting what I need to complete my projects to the best of my ability.
Goal for Next Year
Focus on improving my work, both the quality of the output but also the conditions in which I create. I’d like to create the environment where I operate to the best of my ability.
Amy – Head of Marketing & PR Lead
Highlight of the Year
Successfully launching Noomz at the Food & Drink Expo at NEC Birmingham and securing media coverage across all the main food and drink trade titles.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
This is my first year working at Smith so I’ve learnt about how the business operates and met with our clients to understand their brand and PR challenges and where I can add value in my role.
Goal for Next Year
Build Smith’s profile and continue to raise awareness across all our platforms about the great work we do everyday.
Amber – Account Manager
Highlight of the Year
Working with such a great team that has truly pulled together, supported, and uplifted one another. It’s been inspiring to see the collective effort behind every project we’ve delivered.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
1. Importance of process and organisation
2. Luigi is better at keeping sunflowers alive than me
Goal for Next Year
Drive smarter, more innovative AI solutions for our clients, while continuing to refine our processes to unlock even greater productivity and impact.
Luigi – Account Manager
Highlight of the Year
Seeing Noomz on the shelves in stores. Navigating client problems and finding solutions, along with the ability to be creative across multiple industries.
What You’ve Learnt This Year
How to utilise AI in my workstream and operating across multiple clients at speed and reacting to challenges.
Goal For Next Year
Streamline processes while considering agility and a proactive approach to get the most out of our team.
Will – Digital Marketing
Highlight of the Year
Seeing the impact of taking a more joined-up approach to marketing, especially when SEO, content and CRO work together to drive better quality leads for clients.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
Slowing down, focusing on the fundamentals and being consistent often delivers better results than constantly chasing the next new tactic.
Goal for Next Year
Build on what’s worked this year, keep improving how we turn traffic into enquiries and help clients get more value from their marketing spend.
Joey – Web Lead / Senior Web Developer
Highlight of the Year
Dan moving over to the web team full-time and watching his confidence grow.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
Learning Matthew was 10 when Heatwave by Wiley was released.
Goal for Next Year
Work with bigger and more ambitious clients.
Danny – Designer / Developer
Highlight of the Year
Seeing the difference we’ve been able to bring to Age Co both on the CRO-focused landing page and the full website redesign.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
The importance of considering how we work and how it could be improved, rather than just focusing on working through tasks.
Goal for Next Year
Grow my skills in web development, CRO, productivity, systems, and incorporate AI into my day-to-day workflow more.