Leeds-based creative production company AP Studios has turned early creative success into a fast-growing, sustainable company with support from the West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme.
AP Studios offers a creative strategy and creates high-end photo and video content for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. Its work has been featured in leading publications such as Vogue and GQ, but behind its creative momentum, founder and Managing Director Ola Akinlade was dealing with the challenges of managing rapid growth.
As a sole director, Ola found himself stretched thin. “I was overworked and didn’t have a soundboard to bounce ideas off,” he recalls. “I needed help managing the internal side of the business so we could grow sustainably.”
That’s where the West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme came in.
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the programme is led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice as part of the mayor’s ambition to make West Yorkshire the best place to work, learn and live.
The programme combines one-to-one coaching, expert-led masterclasses, and a GROWTHmapper® diagnostic to help SMEs like AP Studios identify priorities and build strong, sustainable foundations for growth.
“Because the support is bespoke, it develops at the pace of each company, helping to ensure growth is sustainable,” explains Jas Hayre, Client Manager for the programme.
From creative success to strategic growth
When Ola joined the programme, his goal was to create more structure within the business and free up time to focus on long-term strategy. Through personalised coaching, he learned to delegate more effectively, improve internal processes, and introduce accountability across the team. The bespoke coaching proved transformative, giving Ola a trusted space to think strategically and translate creative success into long-term business stability.
“The first sessions were fundamental,” Ola says. “They taught me how to build a business that supports my life, not consumes it.”
The support didn’t stop there. Ola’s partner, Samantha, who oversees administration and finance, joined the programme’s finance masterclasses, gaining the confidence and tools to better manage the company’s accounts. With Jas’ guidance, the business has also been connected to other relevant resources within the wider network.
Measurable growth and stronger foundations
Just a few months into the programme, AP Studios has already seen significant results. Revenue has increased by around 125% YoY, the business has secured several six to twelve-month retainers, and a new creative strategy lead has been onboarded to expand its service offering.
Internal processes have also improved dramatically. Defined roles, clearer responsibilities, and formal client service agreements have reduced late payments and project delays. Staff are more motivated, thanks to visible career development pathways and a more structured approach to workload.
“I’m a lot calmer now and can think with more clarity,” Ola reflects. “I think more strategically and have a healthier work-life balance. For the first time, I can step away from the business, and it still runs – that’s huge for me.”
Support that empowers long-term change
Ola describes the support “like therapy” for his business – helping him gain clarity and confidence to make the right decisions. The flexible, human-centred approach of the Good Growth Programme meant that the coaching could evolve as his business did, moving from immediate operational fixes to longer-term strategic planning.
“It’s not just me,” he adds. “The wider team has benefited from the resources and masterclasses too.”
This combination of targeted coaching, practical learning, and ongoing client management has given AP Studios the structure it needed to scale. The business can now grow without losing its creative identity.
Looking to the future
Now, with stronger systems and sustainable revenue in place, Ola’s sights are set on long-term impact. His next goal is to open a second studio space in Leeds or Wakefield, creating a creative hub for Northern talent, a space where photographers, filmmakers, and designers can collaborate, learn, and thrive without needing to relocate to London.
“I’d love to create a space for Northern creatives, somewhere people can work and learn instead of moving to London,” he says.
The West Yorkshire Good Growth Programme has helped AP Studios channel creative energy into a clear, structured plan for growth. It’s an early success story that reflects the power of local business support and the exciting potential of West Yorkshire’s growing creative economy.
“The Good Growth Programme helped me step back and see the bigger picture,” Ola concludes. “It’s changed how I think about growth and leadership. For creative businesses, it shows that with the right structure and support, you can turn creativity into sustainable success.”
