Customer profiles - KOMI, Waulk Mill
KOMI Group are owners and operators of one of the largest digital media portfolios in Europe. The company is at the forefront of the changing way in which people engage with brands and consume media, with a portfolio attracting over 4 billion content views per month, working with brands like Meta, Disney, HSBC and The Jimmy Fallon Show.
Here, Group Managing Director Sam Lenehan talks about growing his business from an Urban Splash workspace, and how this ‘flexible landlord’ means KOMI “will always have a home”.
We’re on an exciting growth trajectory at KOMI. We recently announced a £5.5 million capital investment from BGF – funding that will help us realise our plans for international expansion into North America via strategic mergers and acquisitions.
And I’m proud that all that growth is happening in an Urban Splash workspace – Waulk Mill in Ancoats. It’s always been essential for me that our physical office space reflects our brand and our values, which is why I take pride in basing KOMI here.
I’ve grown up with Urban Splash, working for the brand before stepping over to KOMI in 2021. I knew immediately that our home had to be part of their portfolio. KOMI, ultimately is a creative brand with a distinct character, and Urban Splash understands how to provide a space that reflects our personality while accommodating our structure from start-up to scale-up.
We weren’t always here; our first office was at Urban Splash’s Beehive Mill in Ancoats, where we quickly expanded from one workspace to three. Each time we needed to grow and adapt, I felt reassured knowing we had a supportive landlord who understood our needs and helped us move seamlessly.
In the summer of 2023, we relocated to Waulk Mill, marking a new phase of growth. Staying in Ancoats was an easy choice; it’s a buzzing, vibrant area that attracts top talent. Young professional creatives want to be in inspiring spaces like this, which helps us as we expand our team. There was, and still is, no question of moving out of Manchester either – KOMI’s presence here is a testament to the city’s thriving and ever-growing media landscape. We’re actually talking about a new space with Urban Splash already…watch this space!
Waulk Mill is a great building, one with a rich history and a great location – taking advantage not just of Ancoats, but of nearby New Islington across the canal too. The structure is raw, with an industrial design and standout features that align perfectly with our brand, while having our own front door enhances our identity as a well-established business.
Urban Splash supported us throughout our fit-out and move-in, connecting us with their architects at R2A to ensure that the final designs worked for everyone while preserving the building's integrity.
I know that Urban Splash always has our back, and as we continue to grow, we’ll always have a home in their portfolio.
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