MARKETING
Promotion – Outrank’ s Lucy Stirman has been elevated to head of culture after nine years with the agency.
THE DIGITAL DEFIANT
How Outrank is rewiring Teesside’ s talent DNA
WORDS: PAUL FRASER PICTURE: CHRIS BOOTH
As the Teesside digital economy accelerates at a pace eclipsed only by London, a structural shift is underway. For Middlesbrough-based agency Outrank, the secret to scaling isn’ t just better marketing or sharper SEO – it is a reimagining of what it means to be a local employer in a global market.
Across the Tees Valley, the skyline is no longer the only thing changing. As the region transitions toward a digitally-led economy, the demand for skilled professionals in marketing, technology and data has intensified beyond historic norms.
What was once a gradual recruitment challenge has evolved into a constraint on growth. For many, the question is no longer simply how to grow, but whether the capability required to support that growth can be secured and retained right here on Teesside.
Currently recognised as the fastestgrowing and second-largest digital and tech hub outside of the capital, Teesside is at a crossroads.
Skilled professionals can now access London-weighted salaries via remote work without ever crossing the North Yorkshire Moors.
For regional SMEs, this creates a highstakes balance between commercial sustainability and competitive remuneration.
Outrank, based at Riverside House, Middlesbrough, is one business leading the charge.
Having experienced the talent squeeze directly while scaling national client delivery, the agency has moved away from traditional hiring.
Instead, they have placed long-term workforce development, neurodiversity and regional collaboration at the heart of their strategy.
At the centre of this evolution is Lucy Stirman, recently promoted to head of culture.
In an industry where culture is often reduced to a pool table and a beer fridge, Lucy’ s remit is significantly more structural. Her work helped Outrank secure the prestigious Best Culture title at the Northern Digital Awards – a nod to the fact that people-first models are now a commercial necessity.
“ If your people are happy, then you will get the best out of them, and that translates directly into better working practices,” Lucy said.
“ I’ ve been with Outrank for nine years, and the reason I’ m still here is that you have a voice. Literally everyone is listened to. In many agencies, you are just another number, but here it’ s personable. When you walk in, you genuinely feel that‘ best agency culture in the North’ atmosphere.”
34 | Tees Business