• New Edinburgh office launches with new partnerships including Shelter Scotland & Plant Based News, and ambition to launch Scotland’s first “Impact Creatives Network”.

• Shape History Scotland will be led by previous Creative Director, Matt Hyndman, who is also co-founder of the Ban Conversion Therapy Campaign. 

• Communications agency aims to accelerate Scotland’s Social Entrepreneurship through connecting with its global network of funders, civil society, and multilateral partners following £41m investment in the sector. 

We’ve launched a new office in Edinburgh, Scotland, following three years of 40% year on year growth!

Our expansion is the first move of our company’s new ownership, following a successful MBO earlier in the year. New co-owners and Managing Directors Lauren Kay-Lambert and Ed Fletcher set out in our announcement that representation and equitability will play a key role in our stewardship of Shape History. 

Whilst the UK Government fails to deliver on its Levelling Up Strategy, we’re calling on purpose-led businesses to take matters into their own hands and connect markets in the North and South of the UK.

Scotland has become a hotbed of social entrepreneurship, with Social Investment Scotland investing £41m in social enterprises, community organisations and impact-led businesses in FY22. Yet, it remains underserviced across specialist impact communications and advertising compared to other UK regions.

We intend to extend our global expertise in social impact communications to accelerate Scotland’s sustainability goals with focus markets including Public Health, the Green Economy and Conservation, and Social Mobility. 

Our new Scotland office has hit the ground running with a number of new partnerships, including national charity Shelter Scotland, which last month warned thousands could be made homeless in the next 6 months due to loopholes in the proposed Scottish Government eviction ban and rent freeze. 

We are proud to have played our part in Scotland’s progress in the last twenty years. Progress to enshrine better rights for all homeless people, end the right to buy, essentially end the bedroom tax and with Shape History’s help – get commitment to build the social housing that Scotland desperately needs.  But our work has never been more urgent.  The next three years will see us focus on transforming rights into a reality for more people in Scotland, and putting power in their hands so they can lead their own fight for home. We’re delighted for Shape History Scotland to join us on that journey. 

Amanda Collins, Head of Communications & Engagement, Shelter Scotland

Our new Scotland division will be headed up by Creative Director, Matthew Hyndman, who is also the founder of the Ban Conversion Therapy, which he launched in July 2020 calling for full legislative ban on the practise by the UK Government. 

“I’m really excited to be leading this next chapter of Shape History into a country that has led the way on so many important social issues. Scotland was the first home nation to declare a climate emergency, first country to make period products free for all, first to imbed LGBT education in its curriculum. I can’t wait to bring our expertise in creative storytelling and campaigning  to help this incredible nation and its many causes achieve their vision for progressive change.”

Matt Hyndman, Scotland & Creative Director

We have plans for aggressive recruitment as part of our commitment to investing in the Scottish economy and Scottish talent. Our expansion is looking to connect clients with our global network of funders and philanthropy to drive further investment and growth. In early 2023, we will also be launching Scotland’s first “Impact Creatives Network”, a monthly networking event with an emphasis on highlighting the work of creatives in impact from marginalised and racialised groups. 

For more information on the network, or to get in touch with Shape History Scotland at matthew@shapehistory.com