Rochdale-born creative agency founder spotlighted in ‘extraordinary’ Greater Manchester business campaign

Wednesday, 5 November 2025 13:09

By David Murphy

A Rochdale entrepreneur who turned her wellness-focused creative agency into a global brand builder has been recognised as one of Greater Manchester’s most inspiring business leaders.

A Rochdale-born founder is one of just 15 business leaders chosen for a new campaign celebrating the region’s most ‘extraordinary’ companies.

Issy McGlashen, who grew up in Rochdale before launching her own creative agency, has been highlighted by GM Business Growth Hub for her success in founding NALA Creative, a studio that now works with wellness brands featured in top global publications like Vogue and Forbes.

The campaign aims to showcase Greater Manchester as one of the best places in the UK to start and grow a business, spotlighting local entrepreneurs who’ve built their ventures with resilience, creativity and ambition.

McGlashen, who previously wrote for major brands including adidas, the BBC and Women's Fitness, created NALA Creative with a mission to craft compelling brand stories in the health and wellbeing sector. Her team now partners with international names to develop visual identities and content that resonate across platforms.

Speaking about the campaign, she credited the Growth Hub for playing a crucial role in her agency’s growth.

“The team at the Growth Hub have been my biggest cheerleaders since day one,” she said. “It’s a collective of rockstar mentors who make you feel like anything’s possible if you stay focused and build with purpose. Every day is a pinch-me moment as we continue shaping something bigger than ourselves.”

GM Business Growth Hub director Janine Smith praised the ambition and impact of the companies chosen, noting the campaign’s goal is to encourage more businesses to reach out for support.

“We’re seeing Greater Manchester lead the UK in productivity growth, and that’s down to the incredible work of our local businesses,” she said. “Any success we have is because of them.”

The Growth Hub, which has supported more than 120,000 businesses since 2011, offers fully funded advice and mentoring across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. All 15 businesses featured in the ‘extraordinary’ campaign were nominated by their advisors to reflect the diversity of the region’s talent.

To date, the initiative has helped create over 16,000 jobs and unlocked nearly £300 million in funding for local enterprises.