Meet the team

With over two decades of experience shaping consumer products and brand strategies, Ben’s hands-on approach and strategic thinking help drive the studio’s commitment to sustainable innovation and meaningful client partnerships. 

We asked Ben to reflect on his journey from fresh graduate to Managing Director at Rodd, and his vision for leading the next sustainable revolution in design…

How long have you been with Rodd?

Strewth, a long time! I started working with Tim (Rodd) back in 2000.

What’s your role?

Pretty much everything. I’m not very good with rigorous structure – which is probably why I co-own a studio rather than work in one! Alongside Mark, we both have a very active role in pretty much every project. 

We [Rodd] have always been very ‘hands-on’ with clients; we work at a pretty high level within our partner organisations so we help clients set the trajectory for the project – both strategically and creatively. We work at the intersection of consumer innovation and design direction, so very often, the brief we are given is either pretty open and needs strategic focus, or very tight and needs opening up with consumer insight and high-level strategy.

Once that’s aligned, we fall into the creative team and get our sleeves rolled up alongside the others.

What’s a typical day look like?

I’m definitely an early bird – thankfully so is Mark, so we often have a couple of hours headstart on the rest of the team. We’ll use this to do the managerial work that needs doing first-thing. 

We start everyday with a team coffee and catchup which is our stand-up session to whip through what needs doing for the day, who needs help etc. Then, its straight into the “meat” of the day. For me, that’s talking with clients, working on the business and team check-ins. I like to carve out the afternoon for my own projects.

How did you find yourself at Rodd?

I graduated with a First Class Honors. I had been working with Pentax Medical in Japan and then freelancing for a bit – but back in ‘98 when I graduated, agency jobs were pretty thin on the ground. I only really wanted to work at IDEO, so my job hunting was pretty short-lived. Arrogance is bliss, right?

So, what else do you do? I set up a studio with a couple of mates from my course. Real “seat of the pants” stuff: we created a brand, (somehow) landed a load of awesome work from brand to product. Pretty soon, we realised what we had in confidence and purchase orders, we lacked in experience. I reached out to local agencies to see if they would be interested in a collab, and one of the first ones I approached was Rodd. We hit it off and the rest is history.

What’s your favourite aspect of your day?

I’m a morning person so I love coming in early. We’ve moved the studio to Winchester recently, so a stroll through the mediaeval streets is pretty much perfect to tee-up the day.

I have to say there is still nothing better than landing a new project. The feeling of working with new organisations still really inspires me; I’m a people person and love finding the way to help them. ‘Articulating’ the essence of the opportunity is a huge privilege. That said, a day spent designing or in the workshop with the team is also hard to beat.

What’s next for Rodd?

In a word: ‘change.’ We have spent 25 years creating consumer demand for our clients, and the next big job for us is to help those brands embrace sustainability (and ultimately circularity – crosses fingers). 

Right now, many product brands are still viewing sustainability as a cost or a compliance issue, sadly – but the ones that are embracing change are going to be the leaders of the next sustainable revolution. 

We are launching services that will allow our clients to grow as the next generation of sustainable leaders and to offer new consumer value that actively embraces sustainability at the core. This is the only future we are exploring.

What’s your fondest memory?

25 years of product development for some of the world’s biggest consumer brands exposes you to loads of huge moments. That’s a privilege – there can’t be many better jobs.

If I had to pick one, Ode was a biggy for the studio. Life-affirming design of the highest order. I’ve had the privilege of working with some awesome Rodd team members and amazing client side folks too.