Jersey-born creative director named as top UK female entrepreneur

Tuesday 16 January 2024

The Jersey-born owner of a London branding agency has been named as one of the UK's top 100 female entrepreneurs by a national industry group.

Katie Killip – a brand strategist and creative director currently based in London – has been recognised for her entrepreneurship by Small Business Britain.

She was included in the f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 list – a campaign that showcases female-run businesses in the UK.

In 2008, the Jersey-born entrepreneur set up the Channel Islands' first female-run design agency, Uba Studio, which has since been renamed Üs Creatives

In 2015, Ms Killip founded a creative studio called 'Mantra' which works with charities, lifestyle brands, retail, and travel companies to help them revamp their branding.

The brand focuses on sustainable campaigns, rooted in Ms Killip’s early work with Jersey's Recycling Department – which has led her to become a speaker at conferences focusing on sustainable start-ups.

The f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 list features a wide variety of entrepreneurs from a range of industries, including AI company founders and female-run tradeswoman platforms.

The accolade showcases those who lead businesses alongside other responsibilities, such as volunteering – with Ms Killip being highlighted for her contributions to social impact causes.

She has been involved with Channel Islands Pride, a project that earned accolades at the PRCA Dare Awards for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. 

Additionally, her work with Choose Love / Help Refugees, a charity working with displaced people, has been showcased in art exhibitions, raising funds to support refugees with vital services like search and rescue operations, food, and legal advice. 

Ms Killip said: “It’s such an honour to have been selected to feature in the f:100 list this year. I’m absolutely thrilled to have received this, it’s all a bit of a dream at the moment. 

“I hope it’ll help shine a light on some of the amazing causes I’ve worked with, such as C.I. Pride and Les Amis, and show the wider world that Jersey is home to some brilliant ideas with world-leading, progressive people champions!”

The f:Entrepreneur campaign was launched in 2017 by small business champion, Small Business Britain.

It aims to raise greater awareness of the impact of female business owners, providing inspiration and role models for the wider business community.

Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain said: “It is so important that we call out the incredible contribution of women running businesses across the UK.

"As well as growing economic prosperity across the UK, they are also having a tremendous, wider positive impact on local communities too.

"Despite all of the challenges of recent times, it is fantastic to see female entrepreneurship continuing to grow and flourish in the UK, and we must do all we can to encourage and build this further.”