The moment when we realised a change was needed

Over the past year, we found ourselves reflecting on a question many independent agency founders eventually face.

How do you continue to build an ambitious, resilient business in a market that feels increasingly pressured, without losing the independence that made it meaningful in the first place?

Hue and Cry has always been proudly independent. That independence shaped our culture, our client relationships, and our pace of decision making. But as the agency matured, it became clear that independence is not static. It looks different at different stages of growth, and it needs protecting as much as it needs celebrating.

The context around us was changing, and it called for a more deliberate approach.

Finding a better way

Rather than chasing growth for growth’s sake, we began thinking more carefully about longevity.

The agency landscape has become tougher. Expectations are higher, costs more complex, and the traditional paths available to founders no longer suit everyone equally well.

That shift in perspective led us to Inflectiv, a collective of category leading agencies united by a belief that independence still matters, especially at scale.

Inflectiv Group exists to back the very best independent agencies for the long term, offering shared experience, greater firepower, and an alternative to the familiar trade-offs between growth and autonomy.

Welcoming Inflectiv Group as a minority shareholder strengthened the foundations we had already built.

The impact

It has given us confidence to make long term decisions, understand where to invest thoughtfully in our team, and continue building strong, enduring client partnerships.

Being part of the wider Inflectiv ecosystem has also expanded the way we approach new business. We have shared opportunities, collaborated on pitches, and combined strengths with other agencies in the group to deliver stronger thinking and better outcomes for clients.

Most importantly, it has allowed us to protect our independence.

A final thought

There is no single blueprint for building an independent agency.

But in a challenging market, exploring new models and learning from others at different stages of the journey can be invaluable. Those conversations have been some of the most generous and grounding parts of this process, and I am always open to continuing them with fellow founders navigating similar questions.