Three Yorkshire designers have built one of the United Kingdom's most successful grassroots creative networks over the past decade, transforming casual coffee conversations into a thriving community that connects hundreds of creative professionals across northern England. Wilson's Republic, founded by Aidan Nolan, Darren Evans, and Katy Ennis-Hargreaves in 2010, began as informal gatherings in Huddersfield's Media Centre and has grown into a creative institution that challenges the notion that London dominates the UK's design scene.
What started as a small group of designers chatting over coffee has evolved into regular events drawing creative professionals from across multiple disciplines. "Back then, it was just a bunch of us working in the same building," recalls Darren Evans, who co-founded Wilson's Republic alongside Aidan Nolan. "You'd go for a coffee, chat to other designers, photographers, illustrators. Everyone was doing brilliant work – often for huge brands – and it made us wonder why no one was talking about it."
The founders' curiosity about connecting isolated creatives became the catalyst for something much larger than they initially imagined. Their first event attracted around 40 people, a turnout that surprised the organizers. "We were shocked they turned up," Evans laughs. Six months later, the follow-up event drew more than double that number, confirming there was significant demand for creative community building in the region.
"We realized there was something happening here. The creative scene was thriving, but everyone was working in isolation," Evans explains. Aidan Nolan, founder of A.N.D Studio and a senior lecturer at Huddersfield University, agrees that geographic isolation was a key challenge they sought to address. "Huddersfield sits between Leeds and Manchester, so it's easy for people to disappear into those bigger cities after graduating. But there's incredible creative talent right here. Illustrators, copywriters, animators are often living streets apart without knowing it."
For Katy Ennis-Hargreaves, who runs her own studio called Boldism, the local connection is what makes Wilson's Republic uniquely powerful. "It's not about exchanging business cards; it's about finding your people," she emphasizes. "The person across the field might be an illustrator you've never met, or someone at your favorite café might be a brilliant copywriter. Wilson's gives us a way to connect."
Over the years, Wilson's Republic has hosted an impressive roster of speakers, ranging from established design luminaries like Tony Brook and James Somerville to emerging creative talents. Despite this growth and recognition, the core philosophy has remained consistent: keep events social, authentic, and inclusive. "We've never called it networking," Evans says firmly. "It's a community. We don't have a mission statement or business plan. We just love bringing people together."
What began as a designer-focused initiative has expanded to encompass multiple creative disciplines and approaches. "We've had textile artists, animators, typographers, copywriters," Nolan explains. "Every event feels familiar, but different. The format stays relaxed – no rigid structure, no pressure to perform – but the voices and perspectives keep evolving." This flexibility extends to presentation styles as well, with Ennis-Hargreaves noting, "There's no single way to present. One speaker might perform half their talk; another might bring 120 slides. Both are brilliant. That openness helps people feel comfortable showing up as themselves."
The organizers also vary venues for each event, sometimes choosing unusual spaces and sometimes intimate ones, which adds a fresh element to each gathering. "It changes the energy," Nolan says. "And we're not precious about it. We just want to make sure the experience feels cared for. Good sound, great visuals, a welcoming atmosphere."
Maintaining a volunteer-led community for ten years requires significant behind-the-scenes work that often goes unrecognized. The founders handle unglamorous tasks like ordering portable toilets, managing event logistics, and working long nights without compensation. When asked what has sustained their commitment, Nolan responds without hesitation: "Tenacity. You have to keep it fresh. Many creative networks become closed: the same people, the same format. And suddenly there's a barrier to entry. We've worked hard to stay open. Change the theme, the speakers, and the designer for each event identity. That variety keeps the water flowing."
Evans echoes this sentiment, referencing feedback they've received over the years. "Someone once said Wilson's Republic is 'always different, always the same.' And that's exactly it. There are certain things we always get right – the curation, the atmosphere, the care – but everything else can flex." The founders agree that consistency is less about repeating identical formats and more about maintaining integrity and thoughtfulness in their approach.
"People trust us because they know it'll be thoughtful," says Nolan. "That encourages speakers to say yes, even when we're just a small Huddersfield event asking them to trek up north." This reputation for quality has enabled them to attract high-profile speakers who might otherwise focus on larger metropolitan events.
One of Wilson's Republic's distinguishing features is its deliberate mix of speakers and attendees across experience levels, from recent university graduates to industry veterans. "We've never wanted to only platform the 'design gods'," says Nolan. "Someone who's three years into their career can be just as inspiring. When students see someone only a few steps ahead of them, it feels attainable."
Ennis-Hargreaves emphasizes the learning opportunities this creates across disciplines and experience levels. "There's always something to learn, no matter your level or discipline. A copywriter who half-sings her presentation can teach a designer about confidence. A young animator might remind an older creative what excitement feels like. It's humbling." This humility extends to the founders' own approach to community building.
"Designers are naturally curious," Evans observes. "We're nosy by nature. Wilson's has always been about that: being genuinely interested in how people work, how they think, how they got where they are." This curiosity-driven approach has fostered an environment where speakers feel comfortable sharing personal stories and honest reflections about their creative journeys.
This October, Wilson's Republic is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a full-day event called WRXL (Wilson's Republic Extra Large). The theme, "routes," represents a forward-looking approach that contrasts with their 2017 retrospective event. "In 2017, we did 'roots', looking back at where we'd come from," Nolan explains. "This time, it's about looking forward. Where we're heading, how the industry's changing, and how we move together through it all."
The anniversary event aims to address current industry challenges while maintaining an optimistic outlook. "There's a lot of negativity in the industry right now. AI, automation, uncertainty. But we want to focus on optimism. There's still so much good work being made. So this event is about celebrating that and talking honestly about where we go next," Ennis-Hargreaves adds.
WRXL will feature six speakers from different creative disciplines, including graphic artist Anthony Burrill, illustrator Lisa Maltby, change-maker Benaiah Matheson, and BAFTA-winning animator James Carbutt. "It's a proper mix," says Ennis-Hargreaves. "Different backgrounds, different stories, all with something to offer." The event will conclude with an afterparty featuring live music curated by a local music collective, representing a collaboration with Huddersfield's music community.
Reflecting on their decade of community building, all three founders acknowledge they have learned as much about themselves as about the creative landscape around them. "I've realized how resilient creative people are," Evans says. "No one's looking out for us. So we have to look out for each other. That's why communities like this matter. They make us stronger."
Ennis-Hargreaves connects this resilience to the optimistic focus of their anniversary event. "And more hopeful. This year's event is all about optimism. Yes, the industry's changing fast, but there's so much positivity out there too. You just need to get people in a room and let them talk about it."
For Nolan, the most surprising aspect of their ten-year journey has been speakers' willingness to be vulnerable and authentic. "We've had speakers share deeply personal stories, talk openly about failure and uncertainty. I don't know why they feel so comfortable doing it, but I'm glad they do. That honesty is rare, and it makes the nights special."
If Wilson's Republic has a defining characteristic, the founders believe it's authenticity. There's no hidden marketing agenda, no hierarchical structure, just genuine curiosity, careful attention to detail, and consistent commitment to showing up. "It's a labor of love," says Ennis-Hargreaves. "But the energy in the room makes it all worth it. You leave feeling part of something bigger."
While the creative industry continues to evolve rapidly, Wilson's Republic remains grounded in fundamental human connections. "At its heart," says Evans, "it's about that golden thread that connects creative folk. Whether you're a designer, illustrator, photographer or musician, we're all problem-solvers, all adaptable, all endlessly curious. That's what keeps us going."
Ten years after its informal beginning, Wilson's Republic has demonstrated that creative communities can thrive outside major metropolitan centers when people care enough to nurture them. As Nolan reflects, "We didn't set out to build a movement. We just wanted to talk to each other. Everything else grew from there." Wilson's Republic XL takes place on October 23 in Huddersfield, with tickets available through Eventbrite.
