BSW Group is thrilled to have won the Strategy Award in collaboration with Propaganda Agency at the prestigious Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Awards.

The event, held at the illustrious Grosvenor House on Park Lane in London, featured 45 top UK consulting firms and 95 client organizations, from both the public and private sectors, alongside key government officials and national media. The star-studded ceremony was hosted by none other than Clare Balding CBE.

The two organisations were recognised for their exceptional work, as Propaganda Agency, with BSW Group, received the coveted Strategy Award. The judges praised their innovative approach, hailing it as a true demonstration of the power of consulting, delivering outstanding value through strategic work.

James Brennan, Head of Marketing at BSW Group, was in attendance to celebrate the momentous occasion with the Propaganda team. Brennan said: “With such prestigious competition in the strategy category especially, it was fantastic to even be nominated for such an award, so for us to actually win it alongside Propaganda was amazing.

“The strategic work they carried out to help introduce BSW Group as a brand, and firmly position us as a leader in our sector, has really helped to propel the business forward. The effort we put in to the rebrand has continued to deliver strong results, and it’s great that those endeavours have been even more formally recognised at such a level.”

Tom Fowler, Planning Director at Propaganda, added: “The management team gave us a tough brief: to arrive at a positioning that brought five businesses together as one, created a platform for future acquisition, and changed the conversation with the sector.

“It’s why we’re so pleased to be recognised for the strategy we recommended, but equally, that our work has served the needs of the business as it has gone from strength to strength.”

The collaboration between BSW Group and Propaganda Agency was a significant undertaking, focused on introducing the BSW Group brand to the world. This project, which continues to yield tremendous, quantifiable results, aimed to position BSW Group as “the most innovative, technologically advanced, and sustainable timber business in the UK”.

Propaganda Agency devised a comprehensive strategy, engaging colleagues and clients across the Group to ensure that recommendations were based on knowledge, not assumptions. Through this process, a number of major issues were identified, including a lack of integration and understanding among group businesses.

Propaganda recommended a strategic shift that repositioned BSW as a ‘circular family’ of experts, revitalising individual Group brands and promoting investments in innovation and education. This approach improved staff unity and demonstrated the business’s commitment to a sustainable and resilient supply chain.

The results of this collaboration have been nothing short of remarkable. Underpinned by the strategic shift from ‘seed to sawn’ to ‘a circle of experts’, BSW Group achieved their exit ambitions three years ahead of schedule, delivering Endless LLP’s biggest ever return.

Quantified value soared, with group revenue increasing from £350 million in February 2020 to approximately £900 million in January 2023. The number of employees also surged from 2,000 to 3,050 during the same period. Notably, BSW Group secured a significant harvesting contract with Forestry Land Scotland, further exemplifying internal collaboration and external goodwill.

The MCA Awards, hosted by the Management Consultancies Association, recognise and celebrate excellence within the consulting industry. With around 60% of the UK consulting industry represented by MCA member companies, this recognition underscores the quality and impact of BSW Group and Propaganda Agency’s partnership.

BSW Group is proud to have been part of this award-winning endeavour, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to excellence and innovation in the timber supply chain.

Propaganda Agency is a prominent strategic and creative brand consultancy, renowned for its principle-based approach to brand strategy. With over 25 years of experience, Propaganda Agency has played a pivotal role in transforming brands, changing markets, and driving clients to success with insight-led strategies. Oher clients include such household names as Clipper Logistics, Roberts Bakery, Ann Summers, Seabrook Crisps, GHD and many more.