“Be bold” was the rallying cry of S3's founder. Eleven years later, with a new management team at the helm, the mantra is “Bite big”.

Cardiff-based S3 Advertising is proving that clients don't have to go to large, expensive agencies in London to get powerful results.

The firm began as a three-person start-up based in an attic. Today it has more than 30 staff and a client roster that includes national names but also exciting up-and-coming organisations. The agency champions the little.

S3 has a record of finding and nurturing young talent, as demonstrated by the fact that its four managing partners are long-serving members of the team.

Staff missed the office during lockdown – it is a grown-ups' playground, with a giant ball-pit, golf course, cinema room and plenty of breakout areas for collaboration. But remote working was accompanied by an increase in flexible working hours, an improved sick pay policy and quarterly team-building events. The employee benefits scheme was upgraded to include mental health cover.

S3 challenges staff to never stop learning. All are given membership of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, where they can access courses and attend events. Institute of Leadership & Management qualifications are available to the leadership team, as well as internal training on topics such as best people practices.