A FAMILY-run marketing agency in Pocklington has enjoyed huge success in its first three years of business and has already gained some major accounts.

The Soapy Group started in 2016 after the directors gave up careers in broadcasting. Their desire to help businesses get off the ground was fuelled by MD Simon Hudson’s history of running SMEs. Along with his partner, creative director Sophie Metcalfe, the pair started offering social media, design and event support to small businesses across York.

The Soapy Group now has five full-time staff and is undergoing a rebrand to focus on full marketing strategy packages for larger SMEs and the ability to maintain long-term business support services.

The Soapy Group, in the frame for Small Business of the Year, also includes a small AV (audio visual) production arm which provides outdoor event staging and PA systems for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and Relay for Life events.

The vision is to become York’s biggest “little” agency by making a huge difference to the growth rates of high-profile brands. The firm is very keen to continue to employ local people.