Business

Belfast agencies lead the way in the Northern Ireland digital industry

Pictured with their eir Spider awards are Rick Monroe and Andrew McCrea from Fathom alongside Paul Haslam and Colin Graham from The Web Bureau
Pictured with their eir Spider awards are Rick Monroe and Andrew McCrea from Fathom alongside Paul Haslam and Colin Graham from The Web Bureau

TWO of the north’s leading digital agencies, The Web Bureau and Fathom, have clinched top accolades at the eir Spiders, Ireland’s premier digital technology awards.

The Web Bureau won best large agency in Ireland, with Fathom receiving the award for Best small agency, highlighting the strength and ambition of agencies within the digital sector in Northern Ireland.

Both companies beat off stiff competition from hundreds of top agencies Ireland-wide to secure the honours.

Web Bureau managing director Paul Haslam said: “This is a fantastic testimony to the incredible hard work from our exceptional team.

“We've just celebrated our 10th year in business, having grown exponentially since the early days. Our turnover has increased by 40 per cent this year alone and we are continuing to win new contracts across a wide range of sectors. We've also just launched the company’s new brand, which aligns with our growth plans for the coming year.

“Northern Ireland may be a smaller region, but we are mighty in our endeavours in the digital sector, and to have two winners at these national awards ceremony is amazing for our industry.”

Fathom, a Belfast-based digital user experience company which improves online performance, said the award win was great news after a busy year.

It's founder and chief executive Gareth Dunlop said: “This was something truly special. To win a national award in a room full of our peers was an amazing feeling and after five years of building a business in a highly competitive environment means so much to our team. I would like to thank them and our loyal clients for their valued support over the years.”

Established in 1996, the eir Spiders are the longest standing and most prestigious internet awards in Ireland and are considered an important benchmark for distinction and excellence in web-based business strategies.