Future Factory appoints former Collective World MD Carolyn Laing as managing director

Future Factory, the Manchester agency that generates leads for creative industry businesses, has appointed Carolyn Laing as managing director.

Laing joins from Collective World, where she was managing director for eight years. During that time the agency gained B-Corp accreditation and worked with clients including Hyundai, MG Motors, Mercedes F1 and Unilever.

She has spent more than 30 years in independent creative agencies. She was part of the core team that launched BD Network's London office and grew it to 200 people, winning clients such as Lurpak, Anheuser Busch, Molson Coors, McCain and Aperol. She has also been MD of Arc Edinburgh, part of Publicis Groupe.

Laing will have overall responsibility for Future Factory, adding to its leadership team and its focus on growth.

Sam Wheatman moves into the newly created post of growth and marketing director, using his commercial experience to accelerate the agency's growth.

Laing, who describes herself as a “proud Scot”, said: “I want to utilise my 30+ years’ experience leading and managing growth in the creative agency industry to help agency leaders navigate these unprecedented times. The increasing move to in-housing and value equation with AI enabled tools leaves little mind space for bottom line growth and the essential new business agenda.”

“Future Factory is incredibly well placed to serve agencies that require expertise and extra firepower to fuel their growth agenda, and being able to lean into the wider Ingenuity Group resources is fantastic and will add even more tangible value for our clients,” she added.

Wheatman said: “Carolyn joining marks a pivotal moment for us. I’m incredibly excited about the experience she brings and the energy and warmth of her approach. I look forward to working together to achieve great things for our clients and our team.”

Founded in 2011, Future Factory generates new business for digital, creative, design, communications and live experience agencies. Alongside its Manchester base it has offices in London and Glasgow.