We’re proud to celebrate 10 years of partnership with Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) – a decade of creative campaigns, digital innovation, and measurable impact for one of the UK’s most pioneering technical colleges.
To help Ron Dearing UTC stand out in a competitive education landscape, connect with the right students and families, and highlight the transformational role of its 60+ Employer Partners.
In 2024/2025 alone, our campaigns achieved:
• 10.6% year-on-year increase in applications
• 3,377 open event sign-ups – a 52% rise in three years
• All open events sold out for both Year 10 and Year 12 intakes
• 5,556% ROI per student
These results are the product of a digital-first, multi-channel strategy – spanning paid social, PPC, Google Display, remarketing, OOH advertising and targeted data capture through platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, Eventbrite and Meta.
“Sowdens have been instrumental in supporting our growth over the last decade. They understand our values, our students and our ambitions – and their campaigns have consistently helped us stand out in a competitive marketplace. Their work not only drives applications, but it also reflects the quality and professionalism of everything we do as a UTC.”
Our partnership with Ron Dearing UTC is built on trust, creativity, and a shared belief in doing things differently.
“Ron Dearing UTC is more than a client – it’s a partner. Over the past 10 years, we’ve crafted a digital-first narrative that resonates with students and families while highlighting the real-world value of employer-led education. Beyond the results, we’re proud to support a college that is genuinely shaping futures – with 60% of students progressing to university and 40% securing apprenticeships in priority sectors like engineering, digital and creative. Seeing that impact in the region is what makes this partnership so meaningful.
Our work with Ron Dearing UTC reflects how our education portfolio has grown over the years. From Hull York Medical School and the University of Hull to Barking & Dagenham College, Capel Manor College and the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, we’ve built up a real depth of experience in student recruitment, digital strategy and brand campaigns.
We’re proud that our results, awards and client relationships now place us among the most experienced education marketing teams in the North.”
Behind the results is a team that’s as committed as they are creative. We’re proud to have a 25% client retention rate spanning 10 years or more – and 40% for over five years – because we stay hungry, driven and focused on delivering real impact. That same loyalty runs through our team too, with nearly a quarter of our people here for a decade or more.
Our growing portfolio also includes projects for First Class Learning, Lycée Independent School, City of Wolverhampton College, Ravensbourne University, and Leeds Trinity University – spanning everything from social audits and brand strategy to national recruitment campaigns.
Our ability to deliver measurable impact in this space is supported by our recent strategic hires, including Paid Digital Manager Yasmin Brown and Senior Marketing Executive Sam Tasker, and our recognition as a Google Partner and Living Wage Employer.
As Ron Dearing UTC continues to lead the way in employer-led education, we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of creative storytelling and digital performance to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers and creators.
“Great campaigns don’t just drive numbers – they shape futures,” says Polly. “That’s what makes our education work so rewarding, and we’re delighted to have been reappointed for another year of strategic marketing for Ron Dearing.”
Looking to boost applications and enrolments for your next summer campaign? Let’s talk.
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