EXPERIENCE THINKING
Our Experience Thinking framework puts a clear focus on real users and customers in each project.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PERSPECTIVEOur Cambridge and London-based consultancy brings together strategy, research, design, and testing expertise under one roof. We combine deep user insights with inspired design to create digital experiences that resonate with British audiences and drive meaningful engagement.
EXPERIENCE THINKING
Our Experience Thinking framework puts a clear focus on real users and customers in each project.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PERSPECTIVEInterested in joining our team?
We're looking for talented people to expand our team and our horizons.
Explore careersOur mission is to create experiences that genuinely connect with users whilst meeting the sophisticated expectations of UK markets.
Leo Poll, President, Akendi UK
Based in Cambridge and London, our multi-disciplinary UK team brings together deep UX expertise with local market understanding. We bridge the gap between business strategy, user-centred design, and technology implementation for British organisations. Our specialists in systems engineering, behavioural sciences, data analytics, and design bring both international experience and UK market insights to every project.
MEET OUR LEADSOUR CREDENTIALS
Behavioural Science
Engineering Design
Data Analytics
Engineering
Our Cambridge and London presence allows us to provide local expertise whilst drawing on international Experience Thinking methodology. We understand the unique characteristics of British business culture, regulatory environments, and user expectations. Our UK team combines global design expertise with deep knowledge of local markets, enabling us to create experiences that resonate authentically with British audiences whilst meeting international standards.
Local insight: Our proximity to Cambridge's tech sector and London's financial district gives us direct access to diverse UK market insights.
We're not just a UK office of an international company - we're Experience Thinking specialists who understand both global best practices and local market nuances. Our methodology puts real users at the centre whilst accommodating British cultural preferences, regulatory requirements, and business expectations. We work with organisations ranging from NHS trusts to fintech startups, bringing consistent quality with local relevance.
Differentiator: Our proven Experience Thinking framework adapts to UK market conditions whilst maintaining methodological rigour.
Compliance is integrated into our Experience Thinking process from project inception. We understand UK accessibility requirements, GDPR implications for user research, and industry-specific regulations affecting digital experiences. Our team stays current with guidance from bodies like the ICO, ensuring that user-centred design principles align with British legal and regulatory frameworks.
Compliance approach: We build regulatory considerations into design decisions rather than treating them as afterthoughts.
We've worked extensively with UK public sector clients, understanding the unique challenges of serving diverse citizen needs whilst operating within government frameworks. Our approach respects public sector values of accessibility, transparency, and value for money whilst delivering user experiences that genuinely improve citizen engagement. We understand procurement processes, stakeholder complexity, and the importance of inclusive design in public services.
Public sector expertise: Our methodology adapts to complex stakeholder environments whilst maintaining focus on end-user needs.
British users have sophisticated expectations shaped by high-quality digital services from organisations like the NHS, BBC, and gov.uk. Our Experience Thinking methodology helps UK organisations meet these elevated standards by focusing on clarity, efficiency, and understated quality. We understand cultural preferences for straightforward communication, respect for privacy, and expectation of reliable service delivery.
Cultural insight: We design experiences that feel appropriately British without sacrificing innovation or user engagement.
Yes, we serve clients throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, understanding regional differences and local market conditions. Our Cambridge and London locations provide excellent transport links, but we also work effectively with remote collaboration when needed. We appreciate the diversity within UK markets and adapt our approach accordingly whilst maintaining consistent methodology and quality standards.
Geographic reach: We understand that 'UK market' encompasses diverse regions with distinct characteristics and user needs.
Data protection is fundamental to our research methodology, not an add-on consideration. We implement privacy-by-design principles in all user research activities, ensuring GDPR compliance whilst gathering meaningful insights. Our processes include clear consent mechanisms, data minimisation principles, and secure handling procedures that meet ICO standards. We help clients understand how user-centred design and privacy protection work together.
Privacy approach: We demonstrate that rigorous data protection enhances rather than compromises quality user research.
Inclusive design is core to Experience Thinking, not a separate consideration. We follow UK accessibility standards whilst going beyond compliance to create genuinely inclusive experiences. Our approach considers the full spectrum of user abilities, circumstances, and preferences. We understand that good accessibility benefits all users, not just those with specific needs, and helps organisations reach broader audiences more effectively.
Accessibility philosophy: We design for inclusion from the start rather than retrofitting accessibility features.
We recognise that British organisational cultures vary significantly - from traditional institutions to innovative startups. Our Experience Thinking framework provides consistent methodology whilst allowing flexible application to match client culture and working styles. Whether working with formal hierarchies or flat organisations, we adapt our communication and collaboration approaches whilst maintaining focus on user-centred outcomes.
Cultural adaptability: We match our working style to client culture whilst maintaining methodological integrity.
We understand UK procurement requirements, from small business direct awards to complex public sector frameworks. Our team is experienced in responding to UK tender processes, understanding evaluation criteria, and working within procurement constraints. We help clients navigate the balance between procurement requirements and optimal user experience outcomes, ensuring compliance whilst maintaining design quality.
Procurement expertise: We understand how to deliver excellent user experiences within UK procurement frameworks.
We work as an extension of your team rather than external contractors, adapting to British working styles and communication preferences. Our collaboration approach respects existing organisational structures whilst introducing Experience Thinking methodology gradually. We understand the importance of building consensus in UK organisations and facilitate inclusive decision-making processes that engage all stakeholders effectively.
Collaboration style: We integrate with existing team dynamics whilst introducing user-centred perspectives naturally.
Our relationship extends beyond project delivery to include knowledge transfer, capability building, and ongoing guidance. We help UK organisations develop internal UX capabilities whilst remaining available for specialist support. Our approach includes training programmes, design system guidance, and strategic consultation to ensure sustainable user experience improvements. We believe in building long-term partnerships rather than transactional relationships.
Partnership approach: We focus on building organisational UX capability rather than creating dependency on external support.