A LEADING firm in Dorset’s digital and creative sector has called in liquidators.

Redweb once employed more than 100 people in building websites and online marketing, working with the likes of HM Treasury, Organix, McCarthy & Stone and the RNLI.

Founded in 1997, the firm in Holdenhurst Road was one of the longest-established local companies in the sector and was named among the UK’s top 100 digital agencies.

Documents filed at Companies House show the company passed a motion on November 26 to voluntarily wind up the business. Mark Phillips and Stratford Hamilton of SKSi Limited have been appointed as liquidators.

Anthony Story, director of Silicon South, which supports Dorset’s digital creative economy, said: “Redweb acted as a beacon for Bournemouth’s digital and creative industry, for many years.

“It had an impressive roster of high-profile clients and brands from around the country – and was instrumental in demonstrating how local companies could compete with the very best in the world.

“The team worked selflessly with schools, colleges and universities around Dorset to ensure that students could find ways to access our industry.

“Consequently Redweb gave many people their first job in the industry.

“It will be fondly remembered not only by former staff, but by competitors, partners and stakeholders, alike.”

Redweb’s accounts for 2020 show the company employed an average of 50 people, down from 78 in 2019.

As of 2017, it had 109 staff. It carried out some redundancies that year in a restructuring which it said would make it better able to meet clients’ needs amid rapidly changing technology.

The firm was featured in Econsultancy’s list of the UK’s top 100 digital agencies.

It had particular experience in the education, property and non-profit sectors. Other famous clients included City & Guilds, developer Crest Nicholson, Guide Dogs and Cancer Research UK.

Locally, it worked with Bourne Free and Dorset Mind and visited schools to encourage young people to take up careers in digital as part of the national Digital Day initiative, as well as showcasing the industry in Digital Wave events for young people.