When you capitalise on creativity, growth isn't just possible…
it's inevitable.
That’s why 500+ ambitious creative companies come to UNKNOWN to grow.
Born from a Creative Recruitment Company
We operate across EMEA, NA, and APAC.
.png)
.png)
"Some companies understand Creative. Some understand capital. Few understand both. That’s why I’ve always loved the team at Unknown. They don’t see a line dividing creativity and capital, but the one connecting them. It’s where they work best."
UNKNOWN gave Mother access to a world of creative and design talent we’d never have found on our own – curating hidden gems from unexpected places, aligning perfectly with our ambition. Those hires that have fundamentally shifted the breadth, energy, and contemporary expression of our entire creative team.
.png)
"When you are trying to build a differently shaped agency with only the sharpest and most creative thinkers, you need a partner like UNKNOWN. Not only do they get it, they get what you're trying to build and how to build it. Oh, and you'll have fun and be inspired along the way."
"UNKNOWN are not content to just follow old models. They are redefining the future for the creative economy. Together we are building new models and new commercial possibilities."
"Knowing good creative is one thing. Knowing a good business is another. Few people know both and can genuinely tell the difference. Fewer still can distil why and can articulate it with total clarity and empathy."
"The least hectic and most reliable way we have ever hired freelance talent…The best of the best. On demand basically."
"Working with Unknown was fab. They brought sheer professionalism with a big dose of humanity. The perfect balance of understanding the business, the talent and what they both need to succeed."
"I'm glad to have got to know UNKNOWN. They clearly understand the creative economy. And the broad range of businesses within it."
"In our rapidly changing industry, finding the right role and organisation where you can add value and also grow can be challenging. It helps to have partners with extensive network connections, who deeply understand the nuance of the market and keep up with what's coming next. That's what UNKNOWN provide and its why I choose to work with them."
"UNKNOWN don’t just recruit, they work with us to find the right people who make scaling MØRNING in the right way possible."
"I’ve always admired how Unknown think and more importantly act. They’re properly connected to the creative world, the people, the pulse, the speed - but they also bring real commercial clarity and strategic intent. They’re not following the industry; they’re helping shape where it’s going. The kind of partner you want when you’re serious about unlocking growth."
"UNKNOWN provides insight and great care in ensuring a strong match across a wide shareholder group."
"Now more than ever, creativity unlocks business value, but only when everyone is accountable for the outcome. UNKNOWN is the embodiment of this commitment. Their relentless dedication to uniting the worlds of creativity and capital is exactly what our industry needs."
"I very much enjoyed working Unknown in the search for the Chair of our investment in Koto Studio. They sourced a very strong cohort of relevant and appropriate chairs, proactively managed them and the process and helped deliver us a great result."
"UNKNOWN is the first place the best creative people come to. Even when they're not looking."
“It's a big deal finding a Chairperson. UNKNOWN knew the gravity and were strategic, thoughtful and patient as we went on the journey. Ending up with a great result for all parties.”
"We hit that scale moment. Where the thing you’ve built is bigger than you. That’s when you need a partner that doesn’t just get who you are. They get who you’re becoming. UNKNOWN is the vibe."
"Creativity + Capital is the kind of statement anyone working in startups, VC, PE, marketing, tech or entertainment might wish they'd coined. It's as solid a definition of how the future can be built, for good, as anything I've heard. These guys get it."
"UNKNOWN aren't just recruiting, they're partners that understand the DNA of Buttermilk better than most of the people inside the building. They've evolved our story with us, so we're growing faster than ever."
“In creative companies, growth accelerates when the advisory bench is strong. UNKNOWN bring real judgement to shaping those boards - matching founders with people who add clarity, challenge and commercial depth.”
"Their collaborative style of working was a breath of fresh air and resulted in a truly meaningful and impactful campaign. We are thankful to Ollie and his team at GBGB for giving the 'Can't Stop Now' campaign life. These guys have so much talent and passion and I would highly recommend them."
"Like so many, the third sector has struggled beyond belief during the pandemic. So, to be a part of GBGB's dedicated collective of minds using our creative powers to make impactful work has been joyful. And we've only just begun."
"This is an amazing initiative connecting charities and social enterprises with creative talent. Ollie pulled together a stellar team of creatives, art directors, copywriters and designers who worked on an incredible campaign for Beam. It's been a huge success."
FAQs
The Search
What is The Search?
Our search model finds transformative talent to unlock creative and commercial growth.
What roles do you typically search for?
Everything from a Chairman & Non Execs to CEOs, MDs, CMOs, CCOs, Creative Directors, Strategy Leads, Heads of Design, CCO’s, Heads of Departments.
How does The Search differ from recruitment?
It’s intelligence-led and consultative - mapping the market and engaging high-impact talent aligned to your growth strategy.
How long does a search take?
It totally varies. But, usually 6–10 weeks from briefing to appointment, depending on complexity and confidentiality.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.
What makes UNKNOWN’s search approach unique?
Without sounding cheesy… Our breadth, depth and tech. We’re not in one sector of the creative economy. We’re in all of them. We study and support the growth of every type of creative business trying to scale. Whether it’s appointing chairpeople for design agencies. Getting PE investment for Influencer agencies. Or building inhouse global benches for unicorn brands. We’re everywhere. And we use technology to capture all of this as we move.