Built on relationships, not just designs
In 2006, Inventive opened its doors in a converted barn in North Devon.
Back then, we were known as Inventive Print Solutions, or to many of our clients, simply as IPS. We had a handful of clients, a kettle, plenty of determination and very little else.
In fact, for the first few weeks, we didn't even have proper office furniture. Our desk was a windowsill, our chairs came from Mark's gran's loft, and the office setup would have done little to impress visitors. What we did have was a belief that clients deserved a more personal, creative and responsive service than was often available elsewhere.
Twenty years later, much has changed
The converted barn has been replaced by our current modern offices just outside Barnstaple. We've evolved from a design and print studio into a full-service creative and digital agency. We've built hundreds of websites, launched countless brands, produced marketing campaigns, developed software systems and helped businesses adapt to a rapidly changing digital world.
Yet in many ways, the things that matter most haven't changed at all.
The Founders
Stuart Welland
Managing Director
Stuart first imagined Inventive in 2004 after many years leading the design and print department at one of the UK's largest travel and tourism marketing agencies. Twenty-two years later, he remains focused on ensuring clients receive the same personal service and long-term support that inspired the business from day one.
Mark Pearson
Director
Mark joined Stuart shortly before trading began in 2006 after sharing the vision for a more personal and responsive creative agency. Mark has helped guide Inventive's evolution from a design and print studio into a wider digital agency, overseeing the growth of web development, hosting, marketing and digital services.
The team behind Inventive
Nicol
Nicol joined Inventive during the company's first few weeks of trading in 2006. Over the past two decades, Nicol has helped shape the creative standards and attention to detail that remain at the heart of the business. Now a proud father of twins, he's still leading the creative team as our Studio Manager today.
Dan
Dan joined Inventive in 2010 from another local agency and quickly became a specialist in Drupal development. Having worked with the platform since the early days of Drupal 7, he remains a key member of the development team and continues to help deliver complex digital projects for clients across the UK.
Alex
Alex joined Inventive as a teenage apprentice while studying at Plymouth College of Art. More than 15 years later, he continues to design and refine websites and digital experiences for clients across a wide range of sectors, becoming a key part of the agency's evolution into digital services.
Lea
Lea joined Inventive in 2014 as a Business and Administration apprentice from PETROC, celebrating her 18th birthday on her very first day. Since then, she has progressed from Admin Assistant to Account Manager, building strong client relationships while balancing family life, including a young family and a much-loved dog.
Matt
Matt joined Inventive in 2017 as a Digital Account Manager, but his passion for development soon led him in a different direction. Today he combines software development with growth-focused systems thinking and is currently working towards a degree in Computing and IT with the Open University.
George
George joined Inventive in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of design experience and a fresh creative perspective. Despite now being part of the team for several years, he still holds the title of Inventive's newest team member and continues to support clients across branding, design and marketing projects.
Evolving with our clients
When we launched, digital solutions were a relatively small part of what we did. Today, they're central to many of our clients' businesses.
Over the last twenty years, we've witnessed the rise of e-commerce, social media, smartphones, cloud software, digital marketing, search engine optimisation, automation and now artificial intelligence.
As our clients' needs changed, we changed too.
What began as Inventive Print Solutions gradually evolved into Inventive Design, reflecting the wider range of services we now provide. While many people still affectionately refer to us as IPS, today's Inventive supports clients across branding, print, web design and development, digital marketing, hosting, support, photography, video and business systems.
The tools have changed dramatically. The principles haven't.
Looking back...
Looking ahead
Twenty years in business is a milestone we're incredibly proud of, but we're just as excited about what comes next.
Technology will continue to evolve. New platforms will emerge. Client needs will change. That's inevitable. What won't change is the approach that helped build Inventive from a converted barn with a windowsill desk into the business it is today.
Putting clients first. Building long-term relationships. Looking after our team. And delivering work that genuinely helps businesses move forward.
To every client, colleague, supplier and friend who has been part of our journey over the last twenty years, thank you.
Here's to the next chapter.
