How to Grow Your Agency in Times of Chaos
Bravery in the face of the ‘Omnicrisis’
Following the success of our previous gatherings, the Bulletproof Agency Network returned to Manchester for our most ambitious conference yet. Hosted at the stunning VOCO Manchester, agency owners and leaders from across the UK gathered to tackle the challenges of modern leadership head-on.
The core theme for this event was bravery. In a world that often feels turbulent, we wanted to provide a space for agency leaders to gain the confidence to meet challenges on their own terms and share actionable insights that could be taken straight back to the office.
Growing Through Uncertainty
The morning began with an energized atmosphere as attendees gathered for coffee, pastries, and networking before the official welcome.
Hosted by Amy Simpson and Dominic Baliszewski of Yours Sincerely, two agency leaders walking their own leadership journey, the day was designed to serve a community of founders and strategists.
Building on the success of our previous sold-out events at HOME, this latest conference drew an audience of approximately 150 owners and founders to the 9th floor of VOCO, overlooking the Manchester skyline.
The morning sessions focused on building a “bulletproof” foundation, with the network’s founders sharing expert guidance on navigating the “omnicrisis”. From legal insights on AI and privacy law to financial strategies for digital agencies and real-world insurance claim trends, the opening presentations provided the technical confidence needed to manage a business in chaotic times.
Alex Barker: Be More Pirate
Alex Barker, co-founder of the global Be More Pirate movement, challenged the room to find the bravery necessary to meet modern challenges on their own terms.
Drawing on her experience working with organizations like Netflix and Google, Alex explored how agency leaders can stop following outdated “rules” and start rewriting their own to create meaningful change.
Her session served as a call to action for agency owners to think outside the box and challenge the status quo.
Caroline Canty: Scale Up Without Burning Out
Caroline Canty, founder of Craft Coaching, addressed the critical theme of scaling an ambitious agency without succumbing to burnout.
As a performance coach, she shared insights on how senior leaders can get the most out of their teams while fostering a supportive “coaching culture”.
Her session focused on improving results in competitive B2B markets through effective change adoption and the development of a high-performance growth mindset.
Jay Neale: Creating KPIs That Are Actually Useful
Jay Neale, Managing Director of Agency Works, delivered a session aimed at helping agency owners stop “starving for insight” while drowning in data.
He argued that too many agencies drive using only the “rear-view mirror” by focusing exclusively on past performance rather than the signals of future success.
Jay revealed the KPIs that actually matter, such as client satisfaction, team wellbeing, and innovation – to help leaders build sustainable, profitable businesses.
Insights from the Network Founders
The opening sessions featured the network’s founders sharing expert guidance on building a robust foundation. Paul Barnes (MAP) discussed “Financial Confidence,” emphasizing that success comes from having the data to prove your model works, whether you scale or stay “small and mighty”.
Sam Johnson and Gemma Kay (RiskBox) explored “The Untold Stories” of insurance, demonstrating how understanding claim trends acts as a safety net that allows leaders to focus on revenue-generating work.
Steve Kuncewicz (Glaisyers ETL) rounded out the morning with a high-speed look at the legal complexities of 2025. His session, “Chaos AD,” provided essential clarity on AI, IP law, and privacy regulations.
The Agency Owners Panel
To wrap up the day, we held a fast-paced “Mini Presentations” session followed by an interactive Q&A featuring a panel of seasoned agency leaders.
This panel included Stephen Weir, Director and COO of MadeBrave®, who brings over 20 years of experience in operations and growth.
He was joined by Qasim ‘Cas’ Majid, CEO and investor in the Wow Group of Companies, who is currently building one of the UK’s largest agency networks.
Karen Reyburn, Managing Director and Owner of We are PF, shared her unique perspective as both an accountant and agency founder.
Finally, Sam Lenehan, Group Managing Director at KOMI Group, discussed his experience scaling high-growth businesses that reach billions of monthly viewers.
The day concluded with a networking and drinks reception, allowing all delegates to connect and reflect on the day’s insights.
