Freshfield secures Boost marketing contract

Preston-based PR and marketing communications consultancy Freshfield has won a new tender for the central marketing contract for Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

The six-figure contract, which runs until Spring 2025, will see Freshfield manage Boost’s entire marketing communications function covering strategy and planning, media relations, content marketing, paid media, social media management, branding and design.

Freshfield will also work in collaboration with Chorley digital agency Bespoke to redesign and develop Boost’s website.

Boost is one of 37 Growth Hubs in the UK, and is led by Lancashire County Council. Since launching in 2013 it has so far supported more than 14,000 businesses, helped create over 3,500 jobs and added over £100m to the economy.

Earlier in November, Boost revealed a fresh £3.9m funding deal and a new range of services, aimed at supporting over 1,000 businesses, starting 125 new businesses and creating more than 1,000 new jobs by March 2025.

The funding is made up of contributions from Lancashire County Council (£1.2m), UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations from 10 partner local authorities, and the Department of Business & Trade (£2.7m).

Freshfield has been the procured marketing supplier to Boost since 2013.

Simon Turner, Freshfield CEO, said: "This is a brilliant win for us and we’re proud and excited to be playing a key role in the fifth iteration of Boost.

“Through Boost, we get to see the power and impact of business support. It helps start businesses, grow businesses, create jobs and develop economies and we love curating these inspiring stories, while helping those ambitious leaders seeking support to become more aware of Boost.

“Businesses need brilliant support more than ever and we can’t wait to work with the Boost team and wider partnership to help more businesses.”

Boost’s local authority partners are Blackburn with Darwen Council, Burnley Council, Chorley Council, Fylde Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Pendle Borough Council, Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Wyre Council.