A HEXHAM-based creative design and marketing agency has welcomed an apprentice as it continues to grow from strength to strength in its first two years.

Stuart Taylor is creative director at Credere Media – credere meaning ‘to believe’ in Latin – with the business focusing on print and digital services, including websites, e-commerce sites, printed material such as flyers and display stands and social media marketing.

And digital marketing apprentice Mia Harrison (20) has recently joined the company to help it grow even further.

Stuart said that while he brought some freelance clients with him from his old job when he started up the business, bringing in new clients from outside proved tough in the first year – but things quickly picked up.

“I needed an extra person to bring new skills to the business and I had come to the point where I couldn’t manage it on my own,” he explained.

“I started looking about last June at several companies, but I got nowhere and eventually a company called 3AAA got in touch in about December about a digital marketing apprentice.

“Mia has really picked it up very quickly, and having an apprentice has relieved a bit of pressure from myself.”

Stuart explained that Mia’s role has allowed him to focus on the print and web development side of the business, while Mia has been able to expand the digital marketing offering.

He added: “On the digital marketing side of things, we are looking to expand on search engine optimisation, which is a bit of a buzz word at the minute.

“Mia has already done it for a few clients and we have had excellent results.”

Mia added: “I have learnt so much.

“To be getting paid while working and still building up knowledge was one of the main bonuses for me.

“In the first month, I kind of knew this is what I wanted to be doing, and Stuart was really helpful."