Hello! Nice of you to drop by, we hope we get to meet you one day.

Working Progress is based on a simple idea - to use our skills to make a difference. We believe that great animation can be a powerful force for positive change.

To that end, we are the animation studio that exists to help charities, not-for-profit organisations and purpose-driven brands to tell their stories in the most impactful way.

Working Progress combines BAFTA award-winning creative experience with production skills honed over many years of managing some of the UK’s biggest charity fundraising campaigns. We pride ourselves on building positive working relationships with our clients and demystifying the production process for those new to animation.

We are always open to exciting new collaborations, committed to the causes of our clients and inspired by our quest to make this world a little bit better - with some really good animation.

Let’s do some good together!

Meet the founders:

Fiona Lishman

Before Working Progress was set up, Fiona worked at charity specialist agencies, delivering some of the largest charity direct marketing programmes in the sector. Previous clients have included Stroke Association, Plan International and Marie Curie and she has led account management teams through pitches, campaigns and the everyday running of very busy charity accounts.

After years of working in agency settings, Fiona decided it was time to take control of her own destiny. At the same time, Merlin was thinking of setting up a new animation studio working with not for profits, so there was a natural fit. Without further ado, Working Progress was born and is growing into a mighty force for good.

As Managing Partner, Fiona looks after all things production, client services and new business, making sure jobs run smoothly and that clients are happy. Feel free to give her a shout fiona@workingprogress.studio if you have a project in mind or you’d just like a chat. She might even make you a cup of tea.

Merlin Nation

Merlin is the creative director and co-founder of Working Progress. He has been a designer, creative director and animator professionally for 20 years, but he has been a human being for all of his life!

Much of this time has been spent in the commercial sector, with noteworthy projects including the launch film for Toyota’s hydrogen powered car and in-store holographic projection displays for Nike. Merlin has won a few awards along the way including an interactive BAFTA, Promax BDA gold and Design Week Best In Show.

Attending a D&AD talk by Greenpeace about their Save The Arctic Campaign was a pivotal moment and key motivation to starting Working Progress. The seed was sown for a new creative studio and Merlin co-founded Working Progress with managing partner Fiona in 2016.

Merlin is excited about what the future holds as the studio continues to build on its founding purpose.

merlin@workingprogress.studio