I’m an award-winning Creative Director with over 25 years’ experience leading brand, digital and integrated campaign work for global and UK organisations. I specialise in blending strategic thinking with hands-on craft to build strong brand systems, digital platforms and high-impact campaigns across finance, FMCG, technology, travel and professional services. I drive multi-disciplinary collaboration, mentoring teams to elevate craft and deliver innovative work at pace. I embrace modern design workflows, including Figma, design systems and AI-assisted ideation, to improve quality, speed and consistency while maintaining a human, collaborative approach with clients and colleagues.…

Ricky Stevens

I’m an award-winning Creative Director with over 25 years’ experience leading brand, digital and integrated campaign work for global and UK organisations. I specialise in blending strategic thinking with hands-on craft to build strong brand systems, digital platforms and high-impact campaigns across finance, FMCG, technology, travel and professional services. I drive multi-disciplinary collaboration, mentoring teams to elevate craft and deliver innovative work at pace. I embrace modern design workflows, including Figma, design systems and AI-assisted ideation, to improve quality, speed and consistency while maintaining a human, collaborative approach with clients and colleagues.…

Available to hire

I’m an award-winning Creative Director with over 25 years’ experience leading brand, digital and integrated campaign work for global and UK organisations. I specialise in blending strategic thinking with hands-on craft to build strong brand systems, digital platforms and high-impact campaigns across finance, FMCG, technology, travel and professional services.

I drive multi-disciplinary collaboration, mentoring teams to elevate craft and deliver innovative work at pace. I embrace modern design workflows, including Figma, design systems and AI-assisted ideation, to improve quality, speed and consistency while maintaining a human, collaborative approach with clients and colleagues.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Creative Director at Limitless (formerly Tayburn)
June 1, 2021 - Present
Lead creative strategy, brand identity and digital delivery across integrated campaigns; drive creative vision and hands-on execution for clients including Toshiba, Whyte & Mackay, Aegon Asset Management, Cater Allen, Aberdein Considine, Anderson Strathern, Murray Capital, Souter Investments, University of Edinburgh and Parsley Box. Helped strengthen the agency’s digital capability and confidence, supporting growth into higher-value digital and website projects. Introduced modern design workflows including Figma-based systems and AI-assisted ideation and concept development, improving speed, consistency and creative exploration. Manage and mentor a close-knit creative team of designers and copywriters, raising the overall standard of craft and output across the agency. Supported new business efforts and contributed to winning major client opportunities through strong creative direction and digital thinking.
Creative Director at The&Partnership
September 1, 2020 - June 1, 2021
Led creative direction within the in-house agency for NatWest Group brands including NatWest, RBS, Coutts and Ulster Bank. Managed a multidisciplinary team of 30+ creatives spanning design, art direction, copywriting, motion, 3D and video production. Co-created the NatWest visual identity and helped embed new brand systems across campaigns and digital channels. Established and rolled out updated visual identities for RBS and Ulster Bank, ensuring consistency across touchpoints. Introduced best-practice digital design guidelines and design systems using Corebook and Frontify to support long-term brand governance.
Creative Director at Tayburn
January 1, 2019 - September 1, 2020
Led concept-driven brand identity, digital and campaign projects for UK and European markets. Delivered a major Toshiba campaign that was later adopted globally, demonstrating scalability and creative effectiveness. Helped grow retained client relationships and contributed to winning new high-value accounts. Raised the overall creative output of the agency through stronger art direction, visual systems and digital-first thinking.
Lead UI + Visual Designer (Contract) at Deloitte Digital
July 1, 2018 - December 1, 2018
Visual design lead on the digital transformation of Prudential UK, working within Deloitte’s UX team across multiple locations. Delivered UI and visual design across complex, regulated digital products, collaborating closely with UX, product and engineering teams. Solely invited to join the co-creation of Prudential’s brand visual identity alongside partner agencies, helping establish a unified creative approach across all suppliers.
Freelance Designer / Creative Consultant
November 1, 2017 - July 1, 2018
Delivered brand, digital and UI design projects for a range of clients and agencies. Supported agencies with concept development, visual systems and hands-on digital execution during periods of growth and transition.
Creative Director at The Lane Agency
October 1, 2014 - November 1, 2017
Led brand identity, digital and integrated campaign work across a diverse client portfolio. Built and managed creative teams, setting creative direction and maintaining high standards of craft and delivery. Delivered award-winning work across digital, social, print and campaign channels.
Creative Director at Blonde Digital (now Cello Signal)
October 1, 2008 - October 1, 2014
Led concept, art direction and digital experience design for major brands including American Express, Lloyds Bank, Aegon, AXA, Baillie Gifford and BASF (Germany). Delivered FMCG and consumer brand work spanning integrated campaigns and digital platforms. Directed multi-disciplinary teams and built strong senior-level client relationships across financial services, FMCG and manufacturing sectors.
Various Creative Roles at Glasgow, UK
January 1, 1998 - December 1, 2008
Built early foundations across brand, digital and UX design; helped establish digital design capability at Campsie Online; contributed to Scotland’s first online entertainment portal; delivered digital-first brand and campaign work at BiscuitMedia, GRP and Dog Digital, and founded Digital Shed to develop concept-led, brand-driven design for a range of clients.

Education

BA (Hons) Visual Communication (Graphic Design) at Glasgow School of Art
January 11, 2030 - February 23, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Financial Services, Professional Services, Education, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Consumer Goods
    uniE621 Aberdein Considine Branding
    I led the creative direction of a two-year brand refresh for Aberdein Considine, following a successful competitive pitch initially focused on a logo refresh. What began as a focused identity update quickly evolved into a retained partnership, working closely with the business to reposition the brand and deliver a cohesive programme of work across multiple touchpoints. The challenge was to modernise a highly recognisable 40-year-old identity without losing its equity, particularly in the North East of Scotland, while creating a more flexible system that could work across Property, Legal and Wealth audiences. I set the creative direction for a refined identity that balanced continuity with progression. The updated marque, typography and colour palette introduced a more confident, contemporary visual language, bringing clarity, warmth and a sense of forward movement. Alongside the identity, I led art direction across campaign photography, brand communications and a full suite of guidelines. The result is a modernised brand that reflects the firm’s progressive, client-focused culture and provides a strong platform for continued growth.…