Manchester-based video marketing agency Eight Engines has been named a finalist for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) Small Business of the Year Award, recognising its continued growth and creative impact in the region.
The award recognises small businesses across the region that show exceptional success, innovation and community impact.
Commenting on the nomination, Jack Leigh, Managing Director of Eight Engines, said: “To see the team recognised with this nomination makes me incredibly proud. It shows what can happen when you stick together, trust each other and keep moving forward. Our crew have faced challenges head-on and turned them into opportunities, and this recognition is proof of that.”
The nomination marks a significant milestone after a challenging period in the commercial video sector. But Eight Engines has thrived by rebuilding its approach, prioritising client collaboration and establishing a permanent in-house team instead of relying on freelancers.
This human-first strategy brought creative consistency and staff security with the agency expanding its team and recording its most successful year to date in 2024, and that momentum has continued this year.
Eight Engines’ portfolio includes numerous international marketing film projects, shooting campaigns in places such as Las Vegas, Poland, Italy, Texas and Mexico. The company has also welcomed a range of major new clients. Locally, it donates free films to charities and gives junior staff important leadership opportunities.
At the heart of Eight Engines’ story is founder Jack Leigh’s journey. Starting as a runner on large film and television productions, he experienced the long hours and insecurity common in the industry. These challenges shaped his commitment to building a company founded on stability, collaboration and human connection.
Jack’s lifelong friendship with creative partner Rupert Grimshaw adds a unique creative synergy. Their closeness, forged from the age of two, shapes the way they work together. He jokes that working with his childhood friend still means he can occasionally “fire” him for giving him the nickname ‘Hobnob’ back in school. This camaraderie runs through the company’s work culture and helps their films truly connect with audiences. The fact that Jack started out in the industry as a runner, also means he’s got an understanding of the sector at each level.
In recent years that sector has been transformed by AI advancements and freelance instability.
But Eight Engines has jumped over these hurdles and taken a different approach. The company employs a dedicated, permanent crew, rejecting the uncertainty that often damages creative consistency. While embracing AI where it helps.
“AI is improving but often lacks soul,” Jack said. “We blend innovation with real human storytelling that connects and endures.”
