This is where great design and tailored advice on content and regulation make all the difference.
Here are some key takeaways from our latest award-winning projects:
1. Streamline your storytelling
SSE wanted to tell a more concise, compelling story of sustainable investment and growth in their 2024-5 Annual Report. Sharper editorial focus and improved visual hierarchy resulted in an engaging read that set out the Group’s important role in the UK’s energy transition without sacrificing clarity. Detailed pagination planning and wireframing helped to reduce the report by an impressive 59 pages. SSE came away with Best Annual Report – Large Cap at the Investor Relations Society Awards 2025. “SSE’s report design was very strong, straightforward and clear for the reader,” said the judges.
2. Craft a compelling investment case
Bunzl’s Annual Report set out a strong investment case, enriched with proof points, and highlighted sustainability as a competitive differentiator for the business. The Group took home Annual Report of the Year – FTSE100 at the Corporate Governance Institute Awards 2025, where judges described it as “an excellent example of confident, transparent communications to connect with investors”.
3. Drive home your brand’s core messaging
Our recent work for Tesco is a good example. The UK’s largest retailer needed an annual report that demonstrated a relentless focus on customers, and how this delivers value for all their stakeholders. We created a compelling visual narrative throughout Tesco’s 2024-5 Annual Report.
“The report is the perfect blend of in-depth information and to-the-point, impactful messaging, readable and delivered in Tesco’s signature brand voice,” said the judges who awarded Tesco Best Annual Report at the 2025 Corporate & Financial Awards.
4. Root your corporate story in your purpose
Tate & Lyle is an ingredients and solutions business that had recently made a significant acquisition to extend its expertise in a growing market category. We designed its 2024-5 Annual Report to tell a clear and engaging story of how the business is focused on delivering on its purpose of ‘transforming lives through the science of food’ which won Best Annual Report – Mid Cap at The IR Society Best Practice Awards 2025. “Tate & Lyle’s report stood out above the rest”, said the judges.
5. Celebrate your wider social impact
Bringing the voices of your partners into the conversation adds a richness to the narrative of your report. See our work on Reckitt’s 2024 Social Impact Investment Report, which won Best Social Impact Award at the Corp Comms Awards 2025. The judges highlighted it as “an innovative approach to audience-first impact reporting”.
6. Balance a clear narrative with relevant data
When it comes to delivering best practice sustainability reporting, focus on your material issues and ground a concise story in the relevant stats. We did just that for Smiths Group’s 2024 Sustainability Report, which won Best Sustainability Report at the Corporate & Financial Awards. “The clear, logical design and easy-to-navigate structure of the report, as well as the articulation of how sustainability is integrated throughout the business” were cited by the judges.
If you’d like to know how we can advise on, design and deliver an annual report you can be proud of, please get in touch.
