Bulletproof 2025: A Day of Purposeful Rebellion in Manchester

A rare sunny morning in Manchester welcomed a room full of ambitious digital and creative agency leaders to The Bulletproof 2025 Conference. But this wasn’t your typical business conference, it was a day designed to challenge convention, encourage vulnerability and inspire agency leaders to lead with courage in a rapidly shifting world.

Since launching in 2017, The Bulletproof Agency Network, a collaboration between RiskBox, MAP, and Glaisyers has created a unique space in the industry. Bulletproof isn’t about generic business advice. It’s a space where uncomfortable questions are welcomed, where financial strategy meets cultural resilience, and where leaders are encouraged to rebel with purpose.

Kicking Off with Creativity, Paper Planes and Presence

The day opened with a light-hearted but meaningful activity from Dominic Baliszewski and Amy Simpson of Yours Sincerely. Attendees were invited to write down what was on their minds, fold it into a paper airplane, and launch it into the crowd.

This simple act encouraged everyone to let go of mental clutter and connect in the moment, reminding us that creativity, playfulness, and emotional presence are essential ingredients of modern leadership.

Financial Confidence for Digital Agencies

Speaker: Paul Barnes, MAP

Paul explored the concept of financial confidence, whether you're building to scale or staying intentionally small. His message was clear. A mature business gives you choices. With the right financial systems and clarity, agencies can grow, pivot, or simply thrive on their own terms.

The Untold Stories: How Insurance Saved Agencies from Crisis

Speakers: Sam Johnson and Gemma Kay, RiskBox

Sam and Gemma delivered a behind-the-scenes look at real claim trends that digital and creative agencies face, from intellectual property disputes to cyber threats. Their talk emphasised how the right insurance doesn't just protect, it empowers agencies to recover quickly and stay resilient.

How Knowing the Law Helps You Cope With the Unknown

Speaker: Steve Kuncewicz, Glaisyers

Steve tackled the fast-changing legal landscape, focusing on how AI is reshaping laws around privacy, intellectual property, online harms, and consumer protection. He reminded agency leaders that understanding legal shifts is no longer optional, it’s critical.

Cutting Through the KPI Clutter

Speaker: Jason Neale, The Agency Works

Jason brought clarity and humour to the world of agency metrics. He challenged leaders to rethink the numbers they track, focusing not on volume, but on metrics that actually drive meaningful change.

Be More Pirate: A Call to Rebellion

The theme of the day, “Be More Pirate,” was far more than a slogan. Alex Barker, co-author of How to: Be More Pirate, delivered a keynote that challenged every attendee to tear up the outdated rulebook and lead with rebellious authenticity.

She called on leaders to, question inherited systems, reject outdated norms and create their own code rooted in purpose, not tradition.

Her talk set a powerful tone for the rest of the event. Courage over comfort, innovation over inertia, and community over competition.

Managing Stress in High-Pressure Environments

Speaker: Caroline Canty, Craft Coaching

Caroline brought things back to the human level, exploring the science of stress, cortisol, and performance. In a high-stakes industry, her session offered practical ways for agency leaders to protect their wellbeing and lead with calm clarity.

Ending with Real Talk: The Leadership Panel

The day closed with a panel hosted by Alex Barker, featuring honest, powerful stories from agency leaders who’ve broken norms and redefined success on their own terms.

The amazing panelists Stephen Weir, Karen Reyburn, Sam Lenehan & Cas Majid spoke about the bold decisions that shaped their businesses, the risks they’ve taken, and the cultures of innovation they’ve cultivated while staying true to their values.

Final Thoughts: Rewriting the Rules, Together

Bulletproof 2025 was more than a conference. It was a manifesto for the future of agency leadership. It reminded us that the power to change things sits with those willing to challenge the status quo.

As we left the venue, the sun was still shining. Perhaps a rare coincidence in Manchester, but maybe a sign that rebellion, when purposeful, really can brighten the future.

Beth Roscoe