Loop Agencies to become Scotland’s earliest employee-owned trust

Fast-growing marketing firm Loop Agencies is set to become Scotland’s earliest ever employee-owned trust (EOT) this month, marking a significant milestone in its rapid expansion. The agency, which doubled its headcount to 15 in 2024, specialises in building in-house creative teams for brands in regulated industries, using generative AI and advanced marketing technologies to deliver high-volume campaigns.

Founded by Vicky Hope and Ed Vickers, Loop has quickly established itself as a key player in the financial services sector, with clients including Aberdeen, First Sentier Group, Franklin Templeton, Phoenix Group, Royal London Mutual Insurance Society, Scottish Equity Partners, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. The agency has also expanded its portfolio with new client wins in Q1 2025, including UK private bank Hampden & Co.

A commitment to employee ownership

The decision to transition to an employee-owned model reflects Loop’s commitment to prioritising its people and creating a sustainable, long-term business. While the agency considered private equity and external acquisition offers, co-founder Vicky Hope said employee ownership was the best fit for Loop’s values.

“From the start at Loop, we have wanted to prioritise our people and put them first, encouraging a commercial approach to creativity, with a niche focus on regulated industries, to deliver exceptional results,” said Hope.

“While we actively considered other options, including private equity and external acquisition interest, employee ownership was by far the best choice to live our people-first values. We set out to build a different type of agency, putting people and the new in-house approach to marketing at its core, now with the tangibility of employee ownership to fuel the next stage of growth and our legacy.”

Ed Vickers, co-founder of Loop, highlighted the importance of shared ownership in attracting the next generation of creative talent. “To attract the new breed of multi-disciplined digital creators, they need to know that you have a truly vested and shared interest in them being integral to the future of the business,” he said. “Our culture and values are front and centre, and we now have a stronger foundation for ongoing growth and expansion.”

Expanding reach and embracing AI

Loop is planning to open a London office in Q2 2025 to support its growing client base in the capital. The agency is also hiring in both Edinburgh and London as it looks to scale its operations further.

While regulated financial services will remain Loop’s core sector, the agency is exploring opportunities in other industries. Hope noted that the agency’s approach to creative services is proving highly transferable, both across sectors and in international markets.

The agency is also putting increased focus on generative AI, recognising how AI-driven content creation is reshaping the marketing landscape.

“We are also putting a lot of focus on continuing to build our capabilities with generative AI, knowing it is fundamentally changing the way marketing content is going to be created and delivered,” said Vickers.

By transitioning to employee ownership and expanding its expertise, Loop is positioning itself for long-term, sustainable growth, while continuing to deliver innovative, AI-driven marketing solutions for its clients.