GBH Design

What GBH Design does

GBH Design (trading as GBH.London) was a London-based creative design agency founded in 1999 by Jason Gregory, Mark Bonner, and Peter Hale. The studio delivered integrated brand, digital, spatial, and campaign design for global enterprise clients across hospitality (Alajmo, MAMA Shelter, SLS Hotels, Brach/Evok), sports (PUMA, Arsenal FC, SailGP), transport (Virgin Galactic, BMW Yachtsport), retail (Photo-Me), government (Royal Mail), and real estate (Land Securities, Samuels & Associates). Notable technical work included the BMW FlyTime real-time data visualization for the 35th America's Cup, which streamed live GPS, pitch, roll, and yaw data from on-board sensors to TV spectators via a custom UX, and an iBeacon-driven on-demand book-printing experience for ZA Café.

The agency operated as a professional-services studio on a project-based revenue model, with no publicly disclosed pricing tiers, retainers, or rate cards; engagements were commissioned directly by enterprise clients through referrals, reputation, and direct relationships. Work spanned brand identity, campaign creative, UI/UX, experiential design, packaging, and interior branding, with international reach across the UK, France, Italy, USA, UAE, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The firm was privately held by its three founders throughout its 21-year history, with no recorded external investment, subsidiaries, or M&A activity.

After 21 years of independent operation, GBH announced in November 2019 that 2020 would be its final year, with the founders citing a joint decision to pursue new opportunities. The studio ceased operations in 2020; its website remains accessible as a portfolio archive of completed work.

Name

GBH Design

Legal name

GBH.London

Website

https://gbh.london

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GBH Design (GBH.London) was a London-based creative design agency, founded in 1999 and closed in 2020, delivering brand, digital, spatial, and campaign design for global enterprise clients including Virgin Galactic, PUMA, BMW, Royal Mail, and Philippe Starck.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Creative Design Services: Project-based creative and design services for brand identity, digital solutions, campaigns, experiential activations, and spatial design. Revenue generated through client commissions for specific design projects rather than recurring contracts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GBH was a multi-award-winning creative design and advertising agency that solved communication problems within brand identity, literature, TV, print, digital, spatial, and experiential design. The studio delivered project-based brand identity creation, campaign development, digital experiences, and physical/environmental design for global enterprise clients including BMW, PUMA, Virgin Galactic, Royal Mail, and leading hospitality groups. GBH operated from 1999 to 2020, after which the studio ceased operations.

Product overview

GBH Design is a London-based creative design agency that operated as a studio providing design, branding, and digital solutions. Rather than a product company, GBH functioned as a service agency delivering creative work across disciplines including branding, identity, digital experiences, and campaign work. The agency closed in 2020 after 21 years of operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GBH Design Services Comprehensive creative and design services spanning brand strategy, identity creation, digital design, experiential activations, campaign development, and spatial design for global enterprise clients.
• BMW FlyTime Real-Time Data Visualization Real-time data visualization recording the percentage time competitors sail up on their foils, converting data from knots to mph for TV and on-demand AC+ service on tablet and mobile for BMW Yachtsport/America's Cup.
• ZA Café On-Demand Book Printing System Smart app-based on-demand book printing and delivery system using iBeacon technology, enabling guests to receive custom-printed books at their seat within ten minutes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record-breaking Special Stamps set from Royal Mail for Dr. Who 50th anniversary
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Philippe StarckcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Long-term creative partnership with renowned French designer Philippe Starck spanning multiple brand projects including Starck Paris fragrance line, Starck Eyes eyewear, PUMA collaborations, TOG furniture brand, and various hotel projects. GBH worked extensively with Starck's vision across diverse product categories from luxury goods to hospitality.
• Alajmo (Raffaele and Massimiliano)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with the Alajmo brothers for hospitality branding including AMO Restaurant and Ristorante Quadri in Venice. Both projects involved complete brand identity creation for their restaurant portfolio.
• PUMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive multi-year partnership with PUMA encompassing numerous projects including kit launches for Arsenal FC, retail concepts, brand campaigns, and product collaborations. Work spanned multiple years and dozens of distinct campaigns and activations.
• Virgin GalacticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership beginning with creation of visual identity in 2004. GBH has been working at the heart of the Virgin Galactic Brand, developing growing design language including the brand sting unveiled July 2020 for Spaceship Cabin reveal.
• Royal MailmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple stamp design projects including Dr. Who 50th anniversary record-breaking special stamps, Star Wars A Force Awakened, Inventive Britain, and Thunderbirds collectible products.
• SailGPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive partnership creating brand language, global campaigns, and SailGP Inspire community outreach program for the revolutionary sailing championship.
• Samuels & AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston-based real estate developer partnership spanning multiple projects including 401 Park, The Fenway neighborhood identity, and The Verb Hotel positioning.
• Arsenal FCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership through PUMA for kit launches and fan engagement including 'Powered by Fans' campaign and Arsenal kit trilogy (Future, Forever, Victorious).
• SBE EntertainmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrand identity work for SLS Hotels, the 5-star Hollywood hotel brand from SBE Entertainment combining European grandeur with LA party spirit.
• Evok HotelsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrand identity for Brach Hotel Paris, inspired by modernist philosophy of the 20's/30's and cultural influences of Pierre Chareau, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier.
• LuxotticamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarck Eyes eyewear campaign for Luxottica/Starck partnership, showcasing patented Biolink technology and extending to style-oriented market.
• SV HotelmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGround-up brand creation for Stay KooooK short-stay hotel concept for German, Swiss and Austrian markets, with configurable rooms and mobility-focused identity.
• North SailsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with world-leading sail manufacturer for Ocean Family Foundation t-shirt collaboration to educate future generations on ocean conservation.
• VincrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEXA robot brand identity for first generation of accessible robots, including website development, film production, and Kickstarter campaign support.
• ParrotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple technology product projects including Parrot Pot smart planter, Flower Power bluetooth gardening device, and Parrot MiniDrones campaign.
• Sekoya Ltd. (Soho Garden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrand materials and interior branding for Soho Garden entertainment destination at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai.
• Qatari DiarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranding for The Adria boutique hotel in Kensington, based on 1953 memories and post-war optimism.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Saffron Brand Consultants: Saffron is an independent global brand consultancy focused on brand strategy and identity for enterprise clients. Directly comparable to GBH in scope, client caliber, and cross-disciplinary creative approach.
• Pentagram: Pentagram is a partner-led design agency working across brand identity, digital, and campaign work for major global brands. It is the most direct comparable in offering, client caliber, and craft discipline to GBH's full-service creative model.
• Mother Design: Mother Design is the design arm of Mother, the London-founded independent creative company known for brand identity and integrated campaigns for major global clients. Closely comparable to GBH's brand and campaign work and its founder-led independent model.
• Moving Brands: Moving Brands is a London-based brand and experience design company delivering identity, motion, and digital work for enterprise clients. Comparable to GBH in service mix, client caliber, and London creative-scene positioning.
• DesignStudio: DesignStudio is a London-headquartered creative agency focused on brand identity, digital, and experience design for major global brands. Closely comparable to GBH in size, geography, and offering.

Broad incumbents

• Superunion: Superunion is a global brand agency within WPP delivering brand identity, design, and experience work for enterprise clients. Comparable to GBH in the brand-led enterprise segment, though operating at substantially greater scale and breadth as part of a global holding group.
• Landor & Fitch: Landor & Fitch is a global branding and design consultancy within WPP working with major enterprise clients on brand identity and experience. Comparable in client profile and brand-led creative work to GBH, though materially larger and broader in scope.
• Bulletproof: Bulletproof is a London-headquartered brand design agency (now part of Big Wavemaker, an Omnicom group) delivering brand identity, packaging, and experience work for global brands. Comparable to GBH in scale and offering, though operating within a larger parent group.
• Wolff Olins: Wolff Olins is a global brand consultancy (now part of Accenture Song) offering brand identity, digital design, and campaign work for enterprise clients. Comparable to GBH in service mix, but operating at significantly greater scale and breadth as part of a global holding group.

Regional players

• Studio Dumbar: Studio Dumbar is a leading European design agency specializing in brand identity and design. Comparable to GBH in creative discipline and craft reputation, though based in the Netherlands rather than competing directly in the UK market.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GBHdesign
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcgieEZP0bCRDSCjduG1KKg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gbh-design

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GBH Design