We’re honoured to announce that we’ve just been awarded The Stationers’ Company Warrant for our social purpose communications.

As the City of London Livery company for the communications and content industries, including journalism, PR, digital communications, copyright, stationery, bookbinding and printing, The Stationers’ Company launched its prestigious Warrant in 2014 to highlight excellence across our industries.

As a B Corp and an employee-owned communications consultancy working on a range of sectors including charity communications, sustainability communications, place based communications and many more, we’re proud of our award-winning work at Barley and receiving this award reflects our dedication to:

Delivering social impact communication that matters
Quality and creativity
Behaviour change communications: driving positive, tangible change that meets the needs of our clients
Protecting our environment
Inclusivity and diversity

We are delighted to receive the Warrant. We are very grateful to the Master Paul Wilson, Clerk Giles Fagan and Karyn Keating for hosting us in the stunning Stationers’ Hall – and for the opportunity to meet and connect with our fellow members.

We were proud to receive the Warrant alongside other companies, including Victor Stationery, Rose Calendars, Conway Stewart, Supadu, Integra Business Solutions Limited, Glassboxx, Westchester Education UK and International, Office Power, Stone Marketing Limited, Workplace360, Cupround, Haybrooke Associates Limited, Private Client Sports, The Stamford Notebook Company, Flashes & Flames and Contact Originators.

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is calling on all of us to Accelerate Action towards gender equality. At the current rate of progress, it’ll take until 2158 to reach full gender parity—that’s five generations from now. We’re not willing to wait that long, and at Barley, we’re doing our bit to speed things up.

From how we build our team to the way we support each other in the workplace, we believe real change happens when action meets intent. So, this IWD, we’re celebrating the steps we’ve already taken—and recognising there’s still plenty more to do.

Leading by example

They say diversity at the top sets the tone for the rest of a business. That’s why we’re proud to have a majority-female board, with women making up 60% of our leadership team. We know that having more diverse voices at the table leads to better decision-making, richer perspectives, and a stronger, more inclusive business.

But leadership isn’t just about job titles—it’s about creating an environment where everyone, at every level, feels empowered to make an impact. That’s the kind of culture we’re building at Barley.

Supporting parents and carers in the corkplace

Balancing work and family life shouldn’t feel like an impossible juggling act. A significant portion of our team are parents or carers, and we know that flexibility is key to making things work. That’s why we support our people with flexible working arrangements that help them manage both their personal and professional commitments without compromise.

Life doesn’t fit neatly into a 9-5, and we don’t expect it to. Whether it’s school runs, doctor’s appointments, or just a bit of breathing space to be present for the moments that matter, we make sure our team has the support they need.

EDI in action: mentoring and opening doors

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is more than just a box-ticking exercise—it’s about actively creating opportunities for those who might otherwise be overlooked. That’s why we take part in mentoring programmes like Spear and The Girls’ Network to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the skills and confidence to thrive in the workplace.

Everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and sometimes, all it takes is someone in their corner to show them it’s possible. Through mentoring, we’re not just giving advice—we’re helping to open doors.

Championing menstrual and reproductive health

It’s 2025, and we’re still breaking taboos around menstrual and reproductive health. At Barley, we’re proud to be an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, working with Endometriosis UK to raise awareness and provide practical support for employees dealing with the condition.

Endometriosis can be debilitating, yet many suffer in silence due to stigma or a lack of understanding. By openly discussing menstrual health, sharing resources, and offering real workplace support, we’re making sure no one must struggle alone.

It’s on all of us to accelerate action

Gender equality isn’t something that happens on its own—it’s something we all have a role in driving forward. At Barley Communications, we’re committed to taking real, meaningful action that makes a difference for our team today and for future generations.

But there’s always more to do. This International Women’s Day, let’s ask ourselves: What can we each do to speed up the rate of progress? Because five generations is too long to wait.

#AccelerateAction #IWD2025 #EquityInAction

The brief

CIWM is a membership organisation working towards a world beyond waste. As momentum grows around the circular economy, CIWM wanted to strengthen its leadership role by actively supporting innovation across the sector.
CIWM launched its first Circular Economy Innovators Fund to help six start-ups fast-track their communications, marketing and design. Barley was appointed to support both the launch of the fund and the delivery of tailored communications support for each successful business — demonstrating how strategic communications can accelerate growth, visibility and impact for early-stage circular economy innovators.

Insights and approach

The fund brought together six very different organisations, operating across fashion, packaging, electronics, construction and materials innovation. Our challenge was to move quickly, while ensuring each business received support that was genuinely relevant to its needs, audiences and ambitions.
We began with a strong strategic grounding, running workshops with each innovator to understand their proposition, challenges and opportunities. This audience-first approach ensured messaging was focused, credible and designed to drive action — whether that meant media engagement, customer sign-ups, event attendance or behaviour change.
From there, we developed bespoke communications plans and delivered high-quality content across channels, including press releases, leadership commentary, social media assets and brand video. Alongside delivery, we provided ongoing counsel to help teams make the most of their new assets and build confidence in using communications as a tool for growth beyond the six-month support period.

Results

Barley delivered tailored communications support for all six innovators, helping them sharpen their stories, raise their profiles and build momentum at critical points in their development.

The work resulted in widespread media coverage, significant growth in social media audiences, increased commercial traction and successful product and brand launches. At the same time, CIWM strengthened its position as a forward-thinking, practical membership organisation with a clear role in supporting the next generation of circular economy leaders.The Circular Economy Innovators Fund also exceeded expectations at launch, attracting strong interest from across the UK and Ireland and reinforcing CIWM’s credibility as a champion of innovation within the waste and resources sector.

The brief

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers was preparing to launch Europe’s first high-speed hybrid passenger ferries — a major milestone for river transport in London and a significant step in the organisation’s journey to net zero.Our brief was to communicate progress to net zero by positioning Uber Boat by Thames Clippers as leaders in sustainable river travel. We were tasked with maximising media coverage around the arrival of the new vessels, using key moments to support the wider business growth story, and increasing awareness of the River Bus and its environmental credentials among both commuters and leisure passengers.

Insights and approach

We identified that the arrival of the first hybrid vessel would be a powerful news moment — but that relying on a single launch risked limiting the lifespan of the story. Our approach focused on creating momentum over time, using creativity and careful planning to extend media interest across the full fleet launch.

We anchored the campaign around the arrival of Earth Clipper, hosting a launch event onboard and inviting a broad mix of national, London and trade media to experience a battery-powered sail through central London. Journalists were given direct access to the co-founder and CEO, allowing sustainability commitments and future ambitions to be communicated with authority and credibility.To create a second standout moment, we worked closely with partners and the Port of London Authority to secure permissions for an early-morning formation sail of all three hybrid vessels. Drone footage and still photography captured the boats moving through central London against iconic landmarks — distinctive, highly shareable content that strengthened broadcast, print and online pitching and reinforced Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ leadership in sustainable transport.

Results

The campaign secured high-impact coverage at every stage, firmly establishing Uber Boat by Thames Clippers as pioneers in low-emission river travel and clearly communicating progress towards its net zero ambition.

Tier A outlets followed the story closely, including BBC London, which reported live from the boatyard and broadcast from onboard Earth Clipper on launch day. Coverage spanned national, London-wide and hyperlocal media, alongside transport, travel, sustainability and trade titles — reaching commuters, policymakers and leisure audiences alike.Crucially, reporting focused not just on the innovation of the vessels themselves, but on the wider role sustainable river transport can play in reducing emissions across the capital’s transport network.

Pioneering zero-emission vessel named and launch date set for March 2025
New vessel increases crossing capacity, enabling over 150,000 passengers to cross every week

In a groundbreaking advancement for sustainable river transport, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has announced that the UK’s first fully electric zero-emission cross-river passenger ferry, Orbit Clipper will launch in March 2025. Currently under construction at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, this innovative vessel will provide an accessible, green and fast route across the Thames seven days a week, enabling over 20,000 Londoners and visitors to travel every weekday.

Orbit Clipper will operate between London’s Canary Wharf on the north side of the Thames and Rotherhithe on the south, offering an efficient and eco-friendly service for cross-river transport. The vessel will cross the river every 10 minutes from each side on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends. The 150-passenger ferry, with capacity for 100 bicycles, features a roll-on/roll-off design that enables automated docking on both sides. This innovation enhances accessibility, reduces journey times, and increases capacity for both foot and cycle passengers.

A commitment to a greener future

This zero-emission vessel is part of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ broader sustainable innovation initiative. Following the recent addition of three hybrid high-speed vessels to its main fleet of River Buses, each cutting emissions by up to 90%, Orbit Clipper underlines the business’s commitment to creating green transport solutions for London’s commuters and leisure travellers. The project is a significant step towards Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving net-zero by 2050.

Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said, “It’s a real British success story. All of our new boats are proudly built in the UK using the latest green technology at Wight Shipyard Co on the Isle of Wight. This new vessel will launch within our 25^th year of operation and it reaffirms our investment in both the local Isle of Wight economy and in London.

“This zero-emission solution also comes after the recent launch of our third hybrid boat – Mars Clipper – into our main River Bus fleet and is the next step on our journey to advancing sustainable maritime technology. The Thames is the lifeblood of our great capital and it’s our ambition to continue to push for further progression along the river – we’re calling upon London’s maritime businesses and government bodies to collaborate and ensure a greener future for all.”

Toby Mumford, CEO, Wight Shipyard, said: “At Wight Shipyard we’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers by building its first zero-emission vessel. This was our first build accessing the Innovate UK grant funding in partnership with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, Beckett Rankine and Aqua superPower. Having already delivered six vessels, of which three are hybrid boats, for the fleet, this milestone represents not only a significant step forward for sustainable maritime innovation in the UK but also highlights the international potential for British-built electric vessels. We hope and expect that it is the first of many.

“It’s an honour to contribute to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ 25-year legacy, and we’re proud that our work here on the Isle of Wight supports both the local economy and the evolution of cleaner, greener transport solutions for London and beyond.”

Tim Beckett, Director, Beckett Rankine, said: “It’s now five years since Beckett Rankine and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers came up with the concept for a zero-emission roll-on/roll-off ferry at Rotherhithe, as an alternative to the then proposed bridge. I am delighted that this vision is now being realised, with the aid of Wight Shipyard building the vessel and Aqua Superpower providing the shore power connections.

“Orbit Clipper is a groundbreaking vessel in many respects, not least in that it is a double-ended, self-docking, auto-mooring ferry. This has, in turn, required the design of a novel new pier for Rotherhithe and a pier extension for Canary Wharf. The new pier is designed with a gentle gradient to make the ferries accessible for cyclists and people with restricted mobility. Improved cycle access supports wider plans for e-cargo bike river crossings. Beckett Rankine is proud to have been responsible for the design and consenting of these pier works, on which construction is due to commence in January. As London extends eastward, there is an increasing need for cross-river pedestrian and cycle links across the Thames, so Orbit Clipper couldn’t be launching at a better time.”

Matt Holland, chief project engineer, Aqua superPower, said: “Aqua superPower is proud to contribute its marine fast-charging expertise to this pioneering project, which sets a benchmark for future initiatives. The launch of Orbit Clipper marks a significant step in decarbonising diesel ferries on the Thames, playing a vital role in London’s clean mobility efforts. Our involvement highlights Aqua’s commitment to marine electrification and cutting-edge infrastructure, and we are excited to collaborate with fellow industry leaders to drive this transformation forward.”

Orbit Clipper (designed by Aus Ships Group) will replace the current cross-river ferry service, continuing to serve the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Rotherhithe and meeting the demands of Canary Wharf’s growing employment centre and burgeoning residential neighbourhoods on both sides of the river. A new step free pontoon is being built on the south side as part of the project, and the existing pier at Canary Wharf will be modified to accommodate the new fully electric ferry berth. This initiative has been made possible through partial sponsorship from the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (funded by the Department for Transport with Innovate UK), and with project partners high-speed aluminium ship builder, Wight Shipyard Company; maritime civil engineering consultants, Beckett Rankine; and electric infrastructure specialists, Aqua superPower.

For over 25 years, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has spearheaded innovations in the marine sector, consistently supporting the Thames’ role in Greater London’s sustainable transport future. As part of this mission, the business has also been exploring advanced fuel options, including compressed hydrogen gas, liquid hydrogen, and methanol.

For more information about Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and its sustainability initiatives, please visit uberboatbythamesclippers.com.

We’re at the cusp of a whole bunch of awards celebrations and we have plenty to celebrate! We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for multiple awards for our innovative communications solutions. Of course, the pride and glory of awards are always enjoyable, but more than anything, we’re pleased with what this recognition says about our work.

Having judged many awards ourselves, we know that creativity, innovation and impact are what’s needed to make an award entry stand out from the crowd. At Barley, we blend strategy, creativity, expertise and passion into social purpose communications that deliver real impact for our clients.

Here’s a snapshot of the work we’ve been shortlisted for:

Rebranding a charity for ETP

To mark a new era for ETP, we designed a bold visual identity that unifies perspectives, clarifies the organisation’s message and charts a course for the future. We developed a new website that’s been shortlisted for Best Website or App at the Memcom Excellence Awards and Best Marketing Initiative or Project at the Association Excellence Awards.

Membership organisation, EACTS

The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) – a 4,000+ membership organisation for the cardiothoracic surgical community that aims to improve outcomes for heart and lung patients around the world – has been shortlisted for Best In-Person Event of the Year at the Memcom Excellence Awards.

The shortlist for EACTS is for the 37th EACTS Annual Meeting which took place in Vienna in 2023 – and we’re proud to support EACTS to deliver the flagship event. At Barley, our work includes managing organic and paid social media to drive over 5,000 participants to the event, publishing a daily newspaper over the four-day event and working with Go Forth Films to produce a daily highlights video. Barley is again supporting EACTS with this year’s Annual Meeting, which is being held in Lisbon from 9-12 October.

Environmental behaviour change campaign for Keep Britain Tidy

Based on eye-opening data about people’s buying habits, we created and delivered a topical campaign across digital and social platforms, setting our audience the task of buying nothing new for a month. This one is up for Behaviour Change Campaign of the Year at the Global Glood Awards and the Education, Training and Communication Award at the National Sustainability Awards.

Charity communications for Nordoff and Robbins

We’re shortlisted for PR Team of the Year at the Charity Times Awards for our strategic approach to media relations for the inaugural Northern Music Awards – helping Nordoff and Robbins raise their profile, raise funds and demonstrate the impact of their life-changing work as the UK largest provider of music therapy.

Local authority communications for Suffolk Waste Partnership

Our #ShakeItOut campaign to reduce recycling contamination has made a lasting impact, resonating with Suffolk households through eye-catching creative across multiple communications channels. This standout campaign of this year’s awards has so far been shortlisted a whopping eight times.

And there’s more! In addition to our client work, Barley has also been shortlisted for several agency awards, including the Women in Green Business Awards and the Association Excellence Awards.

This recognition is true testament to the dedication, imagination and enthusiasm our team brings to every project. And we’re ever appreciative of our marvellous clients for choosing Barley to deliver across a wide range of their communications needs.

Bring on the celebrations!

All three hybrid River Buses now in service on the Thames

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ brand new hybrid passenger ferry Mars Clipper has joined its fellow hybrid vessels Earth Clipper and Celestial Clipper to form an iconic trio – bringing sustainable river transport to more commuters and leisure travellers than ever before.

The capital’s first ever hybrid passenger ferry, Earth Clipper, was launched in September 2023 and was then joined by Celestial Clipper in March 2024. Mars Clipper will be Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ third hybrid vessel to carry passengers in Central London on journeys with zero tailpipe emissions.

Built at the Isle of Wight’s Wight Shipyard, the three vessels’ innovative design delivers an almost 90 per cent reduction in CO2e compared to journeys taken solely using conventional marine diesel. Operating only on electric power in Central London – i.e. between Tower and Battersea Power Station piers – the hybrid boats recharge while using biofuelled power on the rest of their journey. This hybrid system results in an emissions reduction of 16.5 per cent per boat when compared with running on biofuel alone throughout all parts of the route.

Mars Clipper is the 20th high-speed catamaran to join the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers fleet, and the three hybrid vessels increase the River Bus’s total capacity by just under 700 passengers. More Londoners and visitors than ever will be able to travel to work or see the sights in style – sitting comfortably in a cabin that boasts a fully licensed café-bar, offering a range of Barista crafted coffees, soft and alcoholic drinks, as well as snacks. Plentiful seating and large windows offer unique views of London’s most iconic riverside sites, while a spacious, open back deck provides an impressive panoramic vantage point. Tickets can be purchased online, on the Thames Clippers Tickets and Uber apps, and at piers.

Sean Collins, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers co-founder and CEO said: “We want to make London’s river travel the best and most sustainable transport option in the world. We are immensely proud of being able to launch our third hybrid vessel in less than 12 months. Seeing these wonderful boats sail the Thames together is a momentous day for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and this symbolises our commitment to achieve a net zero status by 2040. Going forward, all of our new vessels will use our hybrid system and where possible, fully electrified or zero emission technology. The design of the catamaran can also be made even greener in the future, when technology allows.”

“We are currently working to introduce London’s first fully electric Zero Emission Cross River Ferry between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe by the spring of 2025 – the first of its kind in the UK.

“It’s a real British success story – our new boats are proudly built in the UK using the latest technology to create a comfortable and environmentally friendly way to get around our fantastic capital city.”

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is committed to using the most advanced technology to meet its ambitious climate targets of reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, before achieving net zero by 2040.

All the hybrid vessels were built at Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ investment has continued to be significant for the local economy on the Isle of Wight, with 65 people building the boats over the past year and 14 apprentices involved.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers offers services that run as far east as Barking Riverside and out to Putney in the west. The business is celebrating 25 years of operation in 2024, and in 2023 alone, carried just below 5 million commuters and visitors through London on the river Thames.

For more information and to book, visit www.uberboatbythamesclippers.com.

Plus new limited-edition anniversary pale ale available on board to celebrate the capital’s leading River Bus service

London’s River Bus has been serving Londoners and tourists since May 1999, and is marking its silver anniversary by giving away 600 River Roamer tickets on 24 May, the official 25-year anniversary date. As well as the service’s biggest ever ticket giveaway, for a limited time over the summer months, Silver Tide, a specially commissioned new anniversary beer will be available from the boats’ onboard café bars to help celebrate this special occasion.

Every hour on 24 May, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers will be giving away 25 River Roamer tickets via its website*. These tickets offer a full day’s hop-on, hop-off service across all River Bus piers, which stretch from Putney in the West to Barking Riverside in the East. Together, 600 River Roamers will be given away, with a combined value of over £13,000.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers will also be offering Silver Tide, a limited-edition pale ale with grape and citrusaromas and a gentle bitterness to celebrate its anniversary year. The easy-drinking ale will be on sale from 24 May for leisure passengers soaking in the riverside sights and commuters journeying home. Silver Tide is brewed for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers by London’s independent Portobello Brewing.

The past 25 years have seen Uber Boat by Thames Clippers grow from just one boat offering cross river services to a fleet of 20 high-speed catamarans serving piers across London. Over its 20-year history, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has delivered over 60 million customer journeys. The latest, ground-breaking additions to the fleet have been three high-speed hybrid vessels, Earth, Celestial, and Mars Clipper, the latest of which joins later this spring. The first of their kind, the ferries operate solely using electric power in central London and use biofuel outside of the central zone. The vessels deliver an almost 90 per cent reduction in CO2e compared to journeys taken solely using conventional marine diesel.

As Uber Boat by Thames Clippers looks to the future, it remains committed to growing London’s river transport services, while remaining environmentally sustainable and achieving net zero by 2040. All new vessels have a future-friendly design, meaning the boats can be made greener as technology allows. The service is preparing to deliver its first fully electric boat – a Cross River Ferry between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe – by spring 2025.

For a chance win one of the 600 River Roamer tickets visit: thamesclippers.com/25anniversary-giveaway

The brief

As a public sector communications agency, Barley was asked by National Trading Standards (NTS) to help raise awareness of a growing wave of ‘friend in need’ scams on WhatsApp — messages that appear to come from friends or family members requesting money or personal information. The objective was clear: equip consumers with simple, actionable steps to protect themselves and reduce the impact of these fast-increasing message-based scams.

Insights and approach

Working closely with NTS and WhatsApp, Barley helped frame the challenge and shape the campaign’s core advice: STOP. THINK. CALL. We provided context and insight into how ‘friend in need’ scams operate, ensuring the public messages were rooted in real behaviours and the evolving consumer protection landscape.

Our team:

Developed a bespoke landing page for the Friends Against Scams website to give consumers a trusted place to learn more and take action.
Ran a targeted media relations programme, complementing WhatsApp’s outreach and securing major national coverage including BBC News.
Provided strategic counsel throughout, reviewing content for TikTok and Instagram to strengthen the consistency, authority and clarity of campaign messaging.

By combining behavioural insight with trusted partners and clear public advice, the campaign delivered a unified and authoritative warning to millions of potential victims.

Results

The integrated campaign achieved significant national traction, helping consumers understand and spot this increasingly common scam. It generated 86 pieces of media coverage across outlets such as BBC News, ITV News, Sky News, Daily Mail, The Sun and Daily Mirror, with NTS’ Head of the Scams Team completing 11 broadcast interviews in one radio day alone.The campaign’s impact extended beyond media. Action Fraud adopted and amplified the messaging, launching their own guidance inspired by the campaign — strengthening consumer protection and extending the reach of the STOP. THINK. CALL. message. In total, a further 130 articles were published across national and regional press.

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