ABOUT US
Get to Know Akendi Close
Experience Thinking specialists serving the UK market

Our 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.

WHAT WE CARE ABOUT

WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS

17

YEARS OF PROVEN EXPERIENCE

With 509+ projects completed

WE ARE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY

15

RESEARCHERS, DESIGNERS AND STRATEGISTS

allowing us to dig deeper

WE ARE INTERNATIONAL

5

OFFICES

With a global reach

EXPERIENCE THINKING

Our Experience Thinking framework puts a clear focus on real users and customers in each project.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PERSPECTIVE
experience thinking EXPERIENCE THINKING

How our process works

01:48 Watch Our Video
imgTeam

Interested in joining our team?

We're looking for talented people to expand our team and our horizons.

Explore careers

Our mission is to create experiences that genuinely connect with users whilst meeting the sophisticated expectations of UK markets.


Leo Poll, President, Akendi UK

Our Team

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 LEADS

OUR CREDENTIALS

Behavioural Science

Engineering Design

Akendi UX Credentials

Data Analytics

Engineering

OUR UX SERVICES

Complete user experience services, including design, research, strategy and support systems will de-risk your experience designs from initial napkin sketch to launch.

EXPLORE UX SERVICES

TOOLS & IDEAS

There's always something happening at Akendi, and we love sharing our insights and activities with you! To see what we're up to, and to keep up to date on the latest tools, topics and trends, browse our news, events, blog posts, UX tools, informative videos and more.

TOOLS & IDEAS
SELECTED PROJECTS

Clients we've helped with intentional experiences

Logo-Image
Logo-Image
Logo-Image
Logo-Image
Logo-Image
Logo-Image
Logo-Image
Logo-Image

GIVING BACK

We're passionate about the communities in which we work, and are proud to take on a select number of pro-bono engagements and sponsorships each year. If you're a not-for-profit organisation seeking assistance, please get in touch!

contact us

PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS

To complement our experience research, design, and strategy offerings, we work with select software development, industrial design, and marketing partners.

SEE OUR PARTNERS AND AFFILIATIONS
Latest POSTS
Explore Our Blog

Questions about Akendi UK?

Browse our frequently asked questions about working with our UK team. For further enquiries, contact us at contact@akendi.com.

How does Akendi's UK operation serve British organisations?

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.

What makes Akendi UK different from other UX consultancies?

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.

How do you ensure compliance with UK regulations and standards?

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.

What experience do you have with UK public sector organisations?

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.

How does Experience Thinking apply to British user expectations?

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.

Do you work with organisations across all of the UK?

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.

How do you handle GDPR and data protection in user research?

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.

What's your approach to accessibility and inclusive design?

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.

How do you adapt to different UK organisational cultures?

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.

What's your experience with UK procurement processes?

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.

How do you collaborate with UK internal teams?

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.

What ongoing support do you provide after project completion?

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.

How can we help_hand help you?