appius.com

# Appius

> Appius (Appius International Ltd) is a UK-based, independently owned full-service digital agency headquartered in Bournemouth, England. With over 20 years of experience, Appius helps organisations increase velocity, deliver better value, and improve digital results. They combine Digital Program Delivery, Experience & Insights, and Marketing Technology Engineering through flexible delivery models — working as a fully outsourced partner or as an accelerator to in-house teams. The agency employs 50+ people and is structured into three specialist teams: Digital Results, Experience & Engagement, and Technology.

## Core Offering

Appius delivers outcomes across three strategic pillars:
- **Digital Value Acceleration**: Delivering the right digital products and platforms, faster and with clarity.
- **Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)**: Continuous improvement of results and customer experiences, maximising return from technology and digital marketing investment.
- **Digital Ecosystem Modernisation**: Creating modern, connected digital ecosystems that are scalable, governable, and AI-ready.

Their "Working Closer" approach focuses on being closer to client objectives (roadmaps, KPIs, results reviews), closer to clients (collaborative workshops, on-site specialists, knowledge transfer), closer to systems (data capture, integrations, DevOps), and closer to launch (phased delivery, iterative development, pilots).

## Leadership

- **Simon Annicchiarico** — CEO & Technology Director: aligns people, process and technology; defines long-term technical vision; sets engineering standards.
- **Stuart Lane** — Experience & Engagement Director: responsible for UX/creative output, digital marketing, and company culture.
- **Greg Pike** — Operations Director: responsible for company operations, project delivery, process, and R&D management.
- **Phil Hazelton** — Solutions Director: heads the Solutions Team; business analysis, solutions architecture, quality management.
- **Sarah Woolven** — Digital Results Director: manages customer relationships and leads the Digital Results team.

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## Pages

### Homepage
URL: https://www.appius.com/
Description: Overview of Appius as a UK web development and digital agency. Introduces the three service pillars (Digital Program Delivery, Experience & Insights, Martech Engineering), highlights industry expertise across Financial Services, Travel & Leisure, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Non-Profit, and Utilities, and showcases recent client work including Institute of Cancer Research, Wesleyan, Bird & Bird, and LifeSearch.

### About
URL: https://www.appius.com/about
Description: Detailed overview of the agency's vision, history (20+ years), team structure, leadership, "Working Closer" methodology, and reasons why Bournemouth is a leading UK digital hub. Includes client testimonials and information about the Empowerment Plan for staff development.

### Delivering Outcomes
URL: https://www.appius.com/about/delivering-outcomes
Description: Explains Appius's outcome-driven approach with focus on three key outcomes: Digital Value Acceleration (faster, clearer delivery), Conversion Rate Optimisation (maximising ROI), and Digital Ecosystem Modernisation (scalable, AI-ready ecosystems). Aimed at senior digital leaders who need to demonstrate business results.

### Contact
URL: https://www.appius.com/contact
Description: Contact page for Appius. Invites businesses to get in touch for an informal chat about projects, services, or partnerships.

### Careers
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers
Description: Careers hub at Appius. The agency is always seeking talented people to join its growing team. Current open roles include React/Next.js Developer, QA Analyst, Digital Project Manager, .Net Developer, Senior Frontend Developer, Digital Marketing Lead, Account Director, and Product Manager.

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## Services

### Services Overview
URL: https://www.appius.com/services
Description: Overview of all three Appius service areas: Digital Program Delivery (mobilise faster, achieve value at velocity), Experience & Insights (combine digital marketing, UX, data, and AI for high-impact personalised experiences), and Marketing Technology Engineering (modernise, integrate, and optimise digital ecosystems). Also highlights experience platform partnerships with Optimizely, Sitecore, Umbraco, Sitefinity, and Storyblok.

### Digital Program Delivery
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/digital-program-delivery
Description: Comprehensive delivery service helping clients mobilise faster and achieve greater value using an outcome-focused, blended teams approach. Covers six capability areas:
- **Digital Strategy, Transformation & Roadmapping**: Translating business outcomes into prioritised roadmaps; value engineering, business case development, AI-readiness exploration.
- **Solution Discovery & Definition**: Rapid discovery workshops; turning user/business inputs into structured requirements, epics, and user stories.
- **Product Leadership**: In-house Product Managers aligning cross-functional teams; backlog ownership, outcome-driven planning, continuous refinement.
- **Program Management & Governance**: Experienced Program Managers running complex digital programs; RAID management, commercial forecasting, Agile/hybrid delivery orchestration.
- **Content Operations & Training**: CMS architecture, content modelling, workflow design, editor training; helps small teams scale efficiently.
- **Testing & Quality Management**: Multi-layer testing including accessibility, performance, security, automation, and UAT; embedded quality mindset throughout delivery.

### Experience & Insights
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/experience-and-insights
Description: Combines digital marketing, UX, data science, and AI to create high-impact, personalised digital experiences. Capability areas include:
- **Digital Marketing (PPC, SEO & GEO)**: SEO, Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) for LLMs and Google AI, PPC campaigns (Google, LinkedIn, Meta), email/SMS/WhatsApp automation, social media, advanced campaign tracking.
- **UX Design & Digital Brand Definition**: User-centred design, persona creation, UX/creative combined into Figma prototypes, animation, copywriting, video.
- **UX Research, Analysis & Iterative Prototyping**: Remote UX research, screen recording analysis, expert UX reviews, analytics reviews, lean UX approaches.
- **Split Testing, Personalisation & CRO**: Experimentation via Experience Platforms or plug-in tools; personalisation configuration; Experience Optimisation (EXO) and CRO services.
- **Digital Creative, Animation & Copywriting**: Interactive brand definition, digital-first creative concepts, animation/video production, SEO/GEO-optimised copywriting.
- **Digital ROI & Results Reporting**: Looker Studio/GA4 reports, conversion tracking, server-side tracking, Data Lake and PowerBI solutions.
- **Analytics, Big Data & Insight**: Data scientists delivering proactive insight, data layer specification, big data processing, single customer view, ROAS/ROI attribution.
- **Agentic AI & Marketing Automation**: RAG agents and chatbots, deterministic chatbots, hybrid AI/human handoff, proprietary AI from Big Data, marketing automation setup and delivery.

### Marketing Technology Engineering
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/marketing-technology-engineering
Description: Enables organisations to modernise, integrate, and optimise their digital ecosystem across traditional, modular, and composable architectures. Capability areas include:
- **Experience Layer Engineering**: Modern, scalable frontend experiences across traditional, modular, and headless platforms; decoupled frontend architecture; accessibility, usability, performance standards; reusable component libraries.
- **Core Technologies**: Implementation, integration, and modernisation across Sitecore, Sitefinity, Optimizely, Umbraco, Storyblok, and Dotdigital.
- **Composable Platform Integration**: API-first integration across DXPs, CMSs, CDPs, and Martech tools; multi-source, multi-channel digital experiences.
- **Cloud Hosting, DevSecOps & Development Operations**: CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, observability, governance, compliance, phased releases.
- **Data, Personalisation & Experimentation Enablement**: CDP enablement, segmentation, personalisation, A/B and multivariate experimentation frameworks, experience optimisation.
- **Agentic Engineering**: AI-augmented and agent-assisted capabilities; generative/conversational experiences; content automation; guardrails and governance.

### Portals
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/portals
Description: Appius designs and builds B2B and self-service portals that augment business operations. Portals integrate with back-end systems to improve customer/partner self-service, reduce operational overhead, and drive engagement.

### Experience & Insights — User Experience
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/experience-and-insights/user-experience
Description: Dedicated page for UX services including UX research, usability testing, iterative prototyping, and expert UX reviews. Focus on lean UX approaches and user-centred design.

### Experience & Insights — Digital Marketing
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/experience-and-insights/digital-marketing
Description: Dedicated page for digital marketing services including PPC, SEO, GEO, email marketing, social media strategy, and campaign tracking.

### Experience & Insights — Analytics
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/experience-and-insights/analytics
Description: Dedicated page for analytics services including GA4, Looker Studio reporting, big data processing, data science, and insight delivery.

### Experience & Insights — Creative
URL: https://www.appius.com/services/experience-and-insights/creative
Description: Dedicated page for digital creative services including brand definition, animation, video production, and copywriting.

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## Technology Partners

### Technology Partners Overview
URL: https://www.appius.com/technology-partners
Description: Hub page for all Appius technology partnerships. Covers Sitefinity (Premium Partner since 2007), Sitecore (partner since 2015), Optimizely (partner since 2006), Umbraco (since 2016), Storyblok, Dotdigital (cross-channel marketing automation), Passle (thought leadership production platform — strategic partner for professional services), OneTrust (privacy, security, and data governance), and Infinity (call intelligence and conversation analytics). Appius works exclusively with .NET experience platforms that have personalisation and engagement marketing capabilities.

### Sitefinity
URL: https://www.appius.com/technology-partners/sitefinity
Description: Appius is a Premium Progress Sitefinity partner since 2007 and holds the Sitefinity Customer Success Partner of the Year award (2025) — the second consecutive year winning a Sitefinity award. They have over 20 accredited projects and hold Technical Accreditation. Sitefinity is chosen for its rapid capability growth, ease of use, strong personalisation, and the fact its Insight data platform is RealCDP certified. Appius has built proprietary Sitefinity modules. Clients include Wesleyan, Family Building Society, Teachers Building Society, Institute of Cancer Research, Atlanta Group/Markerstudy, and Carole Nash.

### Sitecore
URL: https://www.appius.com/technology-partners/sitecore
Description: Appius has been a Sitecore partner since 2015. Sitecore is a global leader in end-to-end digital experience software with a SaaS-enabled composable platform. Appius delivers Sitecore XM Cloud (headless CMS), Collaboration Tools (Content Hub, DAM), personalised marketing (CDP, Personalise, Send), and the full Sitecore DXP. Key clients include LifeSearch, Bird & Bird, and Aon.

### Optimizely
URL: https://www.appius.com/technology-partners/optimizely
Description: Appius has been an Optimizely partner since 2006 and holds Optimizely's Experimentation Accreditation. Optimizely is a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for Digital Experience Platforms, blending CMS, commerce, and campaign capabilities with Visitor Group personalisation. Appius works with Optimizely CMS, Web Experimentation (split testing), Data Platform (CDP), and Content Marketing Platform (CMP). Key clients include Canaccord Genuity, Maybourne Hotel Group, Capita, and Hoya Vision Care.

### Umbraco
URL: https://www.appius.com/technology-partners/umbraco
Description: Appius has delivered Umbraco projects since 2016. Umbraco is the preferred .NET open-source CMS for clients where 100% of budget goes on the solution rather than licence fees. Widely used in public sector and not-for-profit. Appius offers uMarketingSuite (A/B testing, personalisation, analytics) and supports Umbraco's CDP capabilities. Clients include Fugro, Kennedys Law, Pennon, and LHC.

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## Work & Case Studies

### Work Overview
URL: https://www.appius.com/work
Description: Portfolio overview with 20+ years of digital transformation across multiple sectors. Highlights industry verticals and showcases recent projects. Client roster includes Aon, AXA, Claridges, SAGA, Capita, Teachers Building Society, Hoya, Maybourne Hotel Group, Family Building Society, Bird & Bird, LifeSearch, Institute of Cancer Research, Swinton Group, Wesleyan, and Fugro.

### LifeSearch
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/lifesearch
Description: Major digital transformation programme for the UK's premier insurance broker. Appius transformed LifeSearch's website from a brochureware site (generating <10% of revenue) to a primary digital sales channel. Delivered Sitecore platform upgrade to v10.3, UX redesign with audience testing, two bespoke digital products ("Your Needs" insurance needs calculator and "Buy Now" multi-insurer quote-and-buy), and "PoweredBy" white-label B2B embedded insurance product used by MoneySuperMarket, Yorkshire Building Society, and Which?. Results: +2.7% overall conversion improvement via split testing; +5.7% conversion uplift from personalised content; +64% increase in natural search traffic; >80% of B2B partners onboarded for PoweredBy.

### Maybourne Hotel Group
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/maybourne-hotel-group
Description: Long-standing digital partnership with the luxury hotel group (Claridges, The Connaught, The Berkeley, The Maybourne Riviera, The Maybourne Beverly Hills). Built on Optimizely. Appius transformed the booking experience, boosting reservations by 30% in three months through bespoke integrations, user-centred design, and data-driven strategy.

### Wesleyan
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/wesleyan
Description: Technology selection, website rebuild and data layer implementation for Wesleyan, a specialist financial services provider. Delivered a fresh, user-friendly Sitefinity site with seamless CRM integration enabling financial calculators, multi-system application journeys, and appointment booking. Winner of Sitefinity Digital Experience Project of the Month award.

### Bird & Bird
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/bird-and-bird
Description: Website onboarding, systems integration, digital marketing, and consultancy for the international law firm. Appius onboarded Bird & Bird's complex Sitecore website and defined its digital strategy. Delivered a showcase Passle thought leadership integration, and a series of tactical SEO, GEO, data, and UI improvements.

### Institute of Cancer Research
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/institute-cancer-research
Description: Digital transformation and website redevelopment on Sitefinity for the ICR. Integrated with market-leading platforms with scalability and usability at its core. Results include improved engagement with the ICR's diverse audience groups, increased donations, and improved talent acquisition journeys.

### Aon
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/aon
Description: Sitecore website onboarding, upgrade, redesign, and ongoing digital support for the global insurance and professional services firm. Systems integration, CRM connectivity, and ongoing experience optimisation.

### Canaccord Genuity
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/canaccord-genuity
Description: Optimizely-based digital transformation for the global financial services group (Wealth Management and Capital Markets divisions). Ongoing platform development, integration, and digital marketing support.

### Capita
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/capita
Description: Digital strategy and Optimizely-based digital transformation for Capita, a leading UK business process outsourcing company. Appius took Capita's digital strategy to the next level through experience platform work, integrations, and digital marketing services.

### Hoya Vision Care
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/hoya-vision-care
Description: Self-service portal and digital transformation for Hoya Vision Care on Optimizely. Appius created a B2B self-service portal for Hoya's optical professionals, streamlining order management and account services.

### Atlanta Group & Markerstudy
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/atlanta-group-and-markerstudy
Description: Multi-brand insurance group digital work on Sitefinity, covering Atlanta Group, Markerstudy, Swinton Group, Carole Nash, Autonet Insurance, Paymentshield, and Entire Cover Insurance. Delivered across multiple consumer insurance brands with a unified platform approach.

### Family Building Society
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/family-building-society
Description: Digital transformation and website rebuild on Sitefinity for the Family Building Society. Improved user experience, accessibility, and content management capabilities for the specialist mortgage lender.

### Teachers Building Society
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/teachers-building-society
Description: Sitefinity website development and digital support for Teachers Building Society. Winner of the What Mortgage Best Lender Website Award 2019. Ongoing digital programme delivering improved performance and user experience.

### Fugro
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/fugro
Description: Umbraco website and digital services for Fugro, the global geo-data specialist. Delivered a modern web presence integrated with Fugro's global systems, supporting their digital communications worldwide.

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## Industries

### Financial Services & Insurance
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/financial-services-and-insurance
Description: Appius's deepest sector experience. Covers banks, building societies, insurance brokers, insurers, investment firms, and fintech. Focus on driving growth, minimising risk, and enhancing user experiences. Key clients: LifeSearch, Wesleyan, Family Building Society, Teachers Building Society, Aon, Atlanta Group/Markerstudy, Canaccord Genuity.

### Travel & Leisure
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/travel-and-leisure
Description: Helping leading leisure and tourism clients achieve outstanding digital transformation. Key clients include Maybourne Hotel Group (Claridges, The Connaught, The Berkeley, Maybourne Riviera, Maybourne Beverly Hills) and holiday park operators (Waterside Holiday Group).

### Professional Services
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/professional-services
Description: Digital transformation for professional services firms (law, consulting, financial advisory). Leveraging CMS, thought leadership platforms (Passle), and personalisation to stay competitive. Key clients: Bird & Bird, Kennedys Law, Canaccord Genuity, Hawkins Wright.

### Manufacturing
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/manufacturing-services
Description: Digital solutions enabling manufacturers to streamline operations, enhance supply chain efficiency, and improve customer engagement. Key clients: Hoya Vision Care, Fugro.

### Non-Profit & Membership
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/non-profit-services
Description: Specialising in digital transformation for charities, membership bodies, and not-for-profit organisations to enhance member engagement, improve online experiences, and drive digital growth. Open-source CMS (Umbraco) often preferred to eliminate licence costs. Key clients: Institute of Cancer Research, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Professional Standards Authority, RICS.

### Utilities
URL: https://www.appius.com/work/utilities
Description: Digital transformation for utility companies, focused on self-service portals, billing systems, and improved customer experience. Key clients: Pennon Group.

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## Careers (Individual Roles)

### React/Next.js Developer
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/react-nextjs-developer
Description: Open role for an experienced React and Next.js developer to join Appius's technology team in Bournemouth.

### QA Analyst
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/qa-analyst
Description: Open role for a QA Analyst to join Appius's quality management capability.

### Digital Project Manager
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/digital-project-manager
Description: Open role for a Digital Project Manager to manage client delivery programmes.

### .Net Developer
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/web-developer
Description: Open role for a .NET web developer with experience in CMS platforms such as Sitecore, Sitefinity, Optimizely, or Umbraco.

### Senior Frontend Developer
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/senior-front-end-dev
Description: Open role for a Senior Frontend Developer to lead frontend engineering on experience platform projects.

### Digital Marketing Lead
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/digital-marketing-lead
Description: Open role for a Digital Marketing Lead to oversee SEO, GEO, PPC, and analytics services for Appius clients.

### Account Director
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/account-director
Description: Open role for an Account Director to lead strategic client relationships and grow accounts.

### Product Manager
URL: https://www.appius.com/careers/product-manager
Description: Open role for a Product Manager to lead digital product strategy, backlog management, and delivery for client programmes.