For 133 years, we’ve led the way, constantly innovating, adapting and looking after clients and our people. Built from humble yet strong Yorkshire roots, we’ve been in the graphics industry since 1893, with founder Charles Gilchrist and one trusty apprentice beginning our story in Leeds, North England, UK.
Today, we partner with the world’s largest, forward-thinking retailers and brands solving the challenges they face today and building packaging strategies for the future.
We’re a diverse mix of strategists, designers, technologists, sustainability specialists, legal advisors, color experts, and creative thinkers. Our catalysts unite commitment, passion, and pioneering spirit, connecting across markets, cultures, and disciplines to deliver smarter, sustainable, and future-ready packaging.
With five studios across three continents, we bring our eclectic strengths together to grow and protect global retailers and brands, solve complex packaging challenges, and shape a more sustainable future. We don’t just respond to change. We create it.
Aura’s 4Elements Framework.
As natural elements work in harmony to strike the perfect balance in nature, so too do all four elements of our Framework. Each element helps to ensure your packaging strategy has everything it needs to evolve and thrive in today’s challenging world.
Brand Growth
The 4Elements Framework
Brand Growth
Reshaping your packaging strategy in harmony with your brand' values will ensure you connect and resonate with consumers. It's essential to create a consistent brand presence across portfolios, categories and markets, enhancing the consumer experience and improving brand perception well beyond the lifecycle of the packaging.
Efficiency
The 4Elements Framework
Efficiency
Efficiency in packaging should be regarded across the entire value chain. Whether conducting a carbon assessment or evaluating the total cost of goods, or sharing information with stakeholders, accurate data at each touchpoint must drive a culture that fosters decision-making based on true insights.
Manage Risk
The 4Elements Framework
Manage Risk
Understanding risks, both current and future, is vital when navigating the ever-changing packaging landscape. It’s crucial to establish relevant strategies and ensure accurate measurement and management of the impact on your business.
Sustainability
The 4Elements Framework
Sustainability
The objective for any organization should be to adopt a packaging strategy that facilitates the daily measurement and management of sustainability. Sustainable thinking should be at the core of the packaging strategy, encompassing aspects from brand integrity to compliance with forthcoming packaging legislation to packaging that is commercially viable and therefore ‘sustainable’ in the long term.
Meet our leadership team
Our values
Our values are always front-of-mind. They’re integral to how we collaborate together and the standard of work we deliver for our clients.
Brilliance
We deliver with pride.
Catalysts are proud of the impact we make.
We deliver work that shines — creatively, sustainably and commercially.
We hold ourselves to a higher standard, because brilliance is our signature.
Behaviours:
- We sweat the details
- We celebrate great work
- We raise the bar for ourselves and each other
- We take pride in being a global team
Commitment
We make it happen, together. For people, business and our planet.
Catalysts turn ambition into action.
Where others see complexity, we see opportunity.
We show up, stand up and deliver – always supporting one another across teams and time zones.
Behaviours:
- We collaborate fearlessly
- We honor our commitments
- We help each other succeed
- We follow through, every time
Pioneering Spirit
We find better ways.
Catalysts push boundaries.
We question the ordinary, challenge convention and invent the solutions the world needs next.
Curiosity drives us. Innovation defines us.
Behaviours:
- We ask “What if?”
- We explore new ideas and technologies
- We improve, iterate, evolve
- We lead sustainable innovation
Passion
We fuel the journey.
Catalysts bring energy and heart to everything we do.
We love solving problems. We love working together.
And we love seeing our work make a difference – for people, for business and for our planet.
Behaviours:
- We bring positivity to our teams
- We fuel innovative thinking
- We stay curious and engaged
- We strive for success
Connection
We spark progress together.
Catalysts are strongest when we connect – across teams, disciplines, and with our clients.
Our global diversity is our power – different skills, perspectives and cultures igniting big ideas with an even bigger impact.
Behaviours:
- We share knowledge openly
- We listen, respect and learn from each other and our clients
- We build bridges across teams, locations and partnerships
- We collaborate to innovate
Ready to talk?
Whether you’re looking for us to support you tackle your packaging challenges or want to discuss partnering with us, we’re ready to listen. Simply complete your details and a member of our team will be in touch.