THE boss of a digital agency celebrating its 10th birthday says there is nowhere like Brighton for creative talent and digital innovation.

The Unit is based at Lees House, Dyke Road, Brighton, and now employs 30 staff.

It has made a name for itself creating award-winning websites.

MD Jim McCall, who founded the business in 2006, said Brighton’s rich creative scene has been significant in its success.

He said: “There’s nowhere else in the UK quite like Brighton for creative talent and digital innovation.

“It’s in a league of its own.”

The Unit started life on the fifth floor of New England House, New England Street, Brighton, which Jim describes as a vibrant supportive environment for start-ups and small businesses for whom affordable office space is key.

Jim and a second member of staff saw the opportunity to create a digital unit to provide specialist resources to companies to help them create their first-generation digital projects.

They built a social media platform for Universal Music and websites for artists ranging from Pink Floyd to Amy Winehouse.

Jim said: “The two of us were doing everything, from answering phones to all-night server-builds.

“We also had the privilege, and challenge, of supporting the Glastonbury Festival website and ensuring that it could handle the ticket frenzy.”

The Unit also created the website for fellow Brighton success story Rizzle Kicks who had just released their first album.

Jim recognised that it was time to diversify, calling on his previous expertise in the financial technology sector to secure new clients.

He said: “Albeit not so rock and roll, banking and insurance presented more complex issues and gave me, and the growing team, the chance to share some of our new user experience skills to create better online customer experiences for clients.”

It also meant that the company had outgrown its workspace and the dozen-strong staff moved to larger premises on New England House’s sixth floor.

By 2011 The Unit saw its client-base and workforce growing.

Jim said: “Recruiting the right people with the right skills was critical, and Brighton provides a rich source.

“Even though what we do involves a lot of technology, it’s the people who make the business at the end of the day.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have creative and innovative clients too who embrace new technology and enable us to push boundaries together.”