We’ve got another huge piece of news to share, Outrank has officially been named the winner of Best Agency Culture at the European Agency Awards 2026.
After being shortlisted in two categories, Best PPC Campaign and Best Agency Culture, we headed to Ibiza alongside agencies from across Europe for the awards ceremony. To come away with the Best Agency Culture award is an incredibly proud moment for the whole Outrank team.
The win also comes shortly after Outrank was named #81 in Europe’s Best Small & Medium Workplaces™ 2026, making this another major piece of European recognition for our people and culture.
What Did the European Agency Awards Judges Say About Outrank?
The judges highlighted the way culture has been built into how Outrank operates as the business continues to grow.
They said:
“Outrank has embedded culture into its operating model while successfully navigating a period of expansion, supported by a well-rounded set of initiatives spanning incentives, development, ownership, and flexible working. The EMI share scheme is a standout element, demonstrating a genuine structural commitment to employee ownership and long-term engagement.”
For us, that feedback means a lot.
Culture isn’t something we want to treat as an add-on. As Outrank has grown, we’ve continued to look at how we can give people opportunities to develop, recognise their contribution, provide greater flexibility and give the team a genuine stake in the future of the business.
Having those efforts recognised at a European level is something we’re incredibly proud of.
From Europe’s Best Workplaces to Best Agency Culture
The European Agency Awards win follows another huge achievement for Outrank.
Earlier this month, we were named #81 in Europe’s Best Small & Medium Workplaces™ 2026, putting Outrank among some of the most highly regarded workplaces across Europe.
It was another important milestone in what has already been an incredible year for our people and culture and it hasn’t been the only one.
Throughout 2026, Outrank has also:
- Placed in the Top 10 of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work – Small Businesses
- Won Silver for Team Culture of the Year at the UK Company Culture Awards
- Seen our Head of Culture, Lucy Stirman, named Culture Ambassador of the Year at the UK Company Culture Awards
- Placed 2nd on the UK’s Great Places to Work List – Medium Organisations
- Won Agency Culture of the Year at the Northern Digital Awards
Each piece of recognition looks at culture in a slightly different way, but together they reflect the continued work that goes into making Outrank a place where people can develop, contribute and feel part of something.
You can read more about our European Great Place to Work recognition here: Outrank Named #81 in Europe’s Best Small & Medium Workplaces™ 2026.
Why Does Winning Best Agency Culture Mean So Much?
Our people have always been at the centre of Outrank, the culture we have today has been shaped by the people who work here, the relationships between teams and a shared commitment to keep making the business better.
That doesn’t mean getting everything right all of the time, a strong culture needs continued work. It means listening to people, understanding where things can improve and being prepared to make changes as the business grows.
Winning Best Agency Culture is recognition of what we have built so far, but it also gives us even more motivation to keep improving.
How Are We Building a Culture Around Ownership and Development?
One area specifically highlighted by the judges was our EMI share scheme, which gives eligible members of the team the opportunity to share in Outrank’s longer-term success.
For us, ownership goes beyond shares, we want people across Outrank to feel they can contribute ideas, take responsibility, develop their careers and play a genuine part in where the agency goes next.
Development and progression continue to be important parts of that approach too, alongside training, one-to-one support, greater responsibility and opportunities for people to grow with the business.
Flexible working and wider employee support also remain important parts of creating an environment where people can do their best work.
A Huge Achievement for the Whole Outrank Team
Winning Best Agency Culture at the European Agency Awards is another major milestone in a year that has seen Outrank recognised repeatedly for its people, workplace and culture.
But these awards aren’t the end goal, they’re recognition of the progress we’ve made, the things we’re getting right and the work that continues to happen behind the scenes.
Culture is something we have to keep listening to, investing in and improving, for now, though, this is one we’re very proud to celebrate.
A huge thank you to everyone at Outrank who plays a part in making the business what it is.
Work With an Award-Winning Digital Marketing Agency
Whether you’re looking for SEO, PPC, web design, social media or a wider digital marketing strategy, our team is here to help you grow.
Get in touch with Outrank and find out how our team can support your business.