Bolton agency Absolute has announced a major evolution after 26 years in business, unveiling its transformation into two specialist agencies with a shared mission to help ambitious companies achieve brand-led growth.
To give clients greater clarity and access to specialist expertise, Absolute now operates as two agencies. Absolute Agency will continue its award-winning focus on brand strategy, brand positioning, and brand development — cutting through complexity to build impactful brands that inspire, lead, and scale.
Absolute Nexa has been launched as a specialist digital development agency. Nexa builds, scales, and evolves bespoke digital platforms that don’t just launch, but grow with ambitions, streamline operations, and fuel rapid business growth.
Both agencies are supported by a central operations team, with founder Chris Hodgen sitting across both as Group Managing Director.
Chris Hodgen, Founder and Managing Director, said: “This is not simply a restructure – it’s a strategic evolution. Businesses today don’t want a one-size-fits-all agency, they want deep expertise powered by data and insight. By creating two specialist agencies, we’re giving our clients the confidence that whether they need a brand to lead their market, or a platform to scale their business, they’ve got the right experts by their side.”
Absolute Nexa will be led by Gemma Illidge as Head of Digital, ensuring clients benefit from deep digital expertise alongside the established brand leadership team at Absolute Agency.
Gemma Illidge, Head of Digital at Absolute Nexa, commented: “Our clients want digital platforms that are built to grow with them - adaptable, scalable, and underpinned by insight. Nexa’s focus on UX and digital development means we deliver exactly that, while working alongside the brand team to ensure creativity and technology reinforce each other.”
Both agencies draw on a strong track record of client partnerships — including Redrow Homes, Manchester City FC, Carrs Pasties, and Edge Hill University for Absolute Agency, and H2 Gambling Capital, Eric Wright Group, and Queen Margaret University for Absolute Nexa.
Together, they mark the next chapter in Absolute’s journey, combining brand strategy and digital development as distinct but connected disciplines — better positioned than ever to help ambitious businesses achieve sustainable, brand-led growth.
