Brand agency wins inaugural industry award
Leamington Spa-based rbl Brand Agency has been recognised at the inaugural Brandland Gather Awards, winning the Brand Story category for its work with the University of East Anglia (UEA).
The award celebrates rbl’s development of a powerful and authentic brand story for UEA – one rooted in originality, creativity and shared purpose.
The narrative leads with the idea – ‘Original By Nature’- capturing the true character of the university’s global community and was the result of a deeply collaborative approach to brand building.
The team focused on uncovering UEA’s authentic identity by working side by side with its people – from leadership through to students – to understand the lived experience of the university. The result is a story designed to guide how UEA expresses itself across every touchpoint.
The project was led by rbl’s Rhiannon Lowe and Adam Concar, in close collaboration with Charlene Katuwawala and Holly Mudie.
Adam Concar said: “This award recognises the hard work, insight and collaboration that went into crafting a story that truly reflects UEA’s character. It’s a story built from within the community itself, and one that will continue to shape its future.”
UEA brand guardian, Charlene Katuwawala added: “rbl understood the power of a compelling story rooted in authenticity and brought the deep thinking that ultimately has become foundational at UEA.
“rbl challenged us at every stage and helped reset the very core of how we define ourselves as a global community to create something truly unifying.”
The Brandland Gather Awards, held at The Forum in Norwich, brought together leading creative talent from across the UK. The Brand Story category recognises work that demonstrates the strategic and cultural power of brand beyond visual identity – focusing on the role of authentic storytelling in shaping organisations.
The judges highlighted the project as an example of how brand is more than design – it begins with a clear, truthful narrative about who you are and what you stand for.
For rbl Brand Agency, this marks its first entry into the Brand Story category and its first win at the awards.
