The down-to-earth web design and development agency has bolstered its leadership team with Oliver Ware joining to lead the agency’s design output.

Bath-based creative agency Mud has appointed Oliver Ware, the former Lead Visual Designer at The FA, as their new Digital Design Director. An award-winning designer, most recently recognised in the ‘Class of 24’ BIMA 100, Oliver joins to complete the agency’s leadership team and boost its creative output as they build on their portfolio of web design projects — including recent work for Bristol-based clients HR Dept and Base Structures.

Prior to joining Mud, Oliver spent six years as the Lead Visual Designer at the FA, working closely with product, UX and engineering teams to implement England Football branding, and define the strategic direction and craft the England Football Learning brand. He brings over two decades’ experience working as a designer and creative lead, with past clients including Rolls-Royce, BMW, MINI, PRS, Samsung, Sky, Warner Bros, Universal Studios, Island Records, AXA, ESPN, Dolby, and more.

Matt Powell, Co-founder and Creative Director at Mud, said:

“Oliver is an accomplished designer with a brilliant reputation from his many years at the FA, where he successfully brought together a wide range of design disciplines to create beautiful, functional digital experiences. His brand and product-based experience brings some fresh thinking into the fold of our small, yet strong design team, and a new level of strategic thinking to our leadership team to shape the next chapter of Mud as a creative agency.”

Following on from Mud’s recent recognition as ‘Agency of the Year’ at the Creative Bath Awards, Oliver’s appointment completes Mud’s new leadership team. He joins Creative Director Matt Powell, Development Director Russ Back, and recently promoted Operations Director Meg West to head up the agency. This move aligns with the agency’s plans to deepen the scope of client projects to expand the breadth of its portfolio and be more purposeful in positioning its design services. 

Oliver Ware, Digital Design Director at Mud, said:

“After six incredible years at the FA, I’m delighted to join the team at Mud to shape the design direction for their digital projects. With a reputation for creating impactful work, and a fresh focus on building brand and digital systems that can grow and flex to serve the strategic goals of their clients, it’s an exciting time to be joining an agency where craft and collaboration are valued above all else.”

Recent project work for Bristol-based clients include a new brand and website for Base Structures — market-leaders in tensile fabric engineering whose client roster includes Zaha Hadid Architects and the Science Museum — and a clearer, more confident digital experience for the HR Dept, a national HR consultancy operating through a local franchise model. 

About Our Name is Mud

Our name is Mud. We are a web design agency based in Bath, specialising in Craft CMS. We bring a down-to-earth feeling to web design. A feeling that builds trust, focuses on the details and delivers meaningful work that has a big impact.