Yorkshire-headquartered strategic brand consultancy The Engine Room has bolstered its team ahead of projected 2020 growth.
Bailey Waterhouse is the Mirfield-based firm’s newly-appointed junior designer. A former Greenhead College student and a recent graphic design graduate of Northumbria University, he completed a two-week placement with The Engine Room earlier this year and was later offered a permanent position as the business gears up for expansion over the next 12 months.
His three-year study programme saw him specialise in brand, while he also approached a number of agencies to boost his work experience alongside. This included the completion of internships in London where his talent saw him quickly become involved in campaigns for major consumer blue-chips.
Impressed by his attitude and strategic thinking beyond his years, The Engine Room created a permanent position for him, with immediate effect.
Commenting on the hire, managing director Lesley Gulliver said: “We had planned to look at growing the team in Q1-2 of 2020, as our pipeline includes a rich balance of brand evolution retainer work for long-standing clients, plus a healthy stream of new projects coming into the studio. But we were so impressed with Bailey’s skill set and approach, that we accelerated our recruitment to secure his appointment before Christmas.
“While on placement he didn’t just thoughtfully address the briefs we gave him to work on – he also demonstrated a real aptitude for the business of design which is quite a rare talent, particularly for someone starting out in their career.”
With the commercial impact of their work a key element of The Engine Room’s proposition, Bailey was therefore a good fit for the growing team.
“Alongside our client projects, we also collaborate with industry leaders such as Design Council and Design Business Association to help advance the business of design thinking in the profession,” continued Lesley. “It is something we are extremely passionate about and, I believe, is one of the true differentials within our organisation.”
Bailey added: “I quickly fitted into the team. The Engine Room has a close-knit, dynamic and collaborative working environment which didn’t just mirror the organisations I spent time with in London – it surpassed the vibe there. I’m excited to see where this role takes me.”
Established in 2001, The Engine Room hit the headlines this time last year when they announced the phase one completion of their 19th century mill refurbishment. Once owned by the employer of Anne Brontë, their newly-procured business premises marked the beginning of a new decade of investment for the growing brand specialist.
