Leeds-based marketing agency Connective3, trading as C3X, has secured a growth investment from private equity firm Foresight Group to fund international expansion and artificial intelligence development. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded by Tim Grice, the independent agency employs more than 140 specialists across its offices in Leeds, Manchester, and London. Connective3 specialises in digital marketing strategy, partnering with corporate clients including HSBC, Adobe, and Yorkshire-based retailer Wren Kitchens.

The capital injection will be used to accelerate the development of C3X, the agency's proprietary artificial intelligence platform designed to integrate data analysis and campaign activation across multiple digital marketing channels. The funding will also support an acquisition strategy to establish a presence in international markets.

Foresight Group operates a network of more than a dozen regional offices across the UK and Ireland, managing investments on behalf of institutions and private investors. Under the terms of the partnership, Foresight will provide non-executive strategic support and access to its commercial network to facilitate the agency's growth plan.

Tim Grice, Group CEO of Connective3, said: “Marketing is changing faster than ever. The traditional divide between demand generation and performance marketing is disappearing, and AI is creating an opportunity to connect every part of the customer journey like never before. Our ambition is to build the world's leading Demand + Performance marketing group, combining exceptional talent with proprietary technology to help ambitious businesses grow faster. Foresight shares that vision, and together we're excited about what comes next.”

Vin Chinnaraja, Executive Chairman of Connective3, added: "This investment marks the next chapter for Connective3. What Tim and the team have built is a genuinely connected approach to demand and performance, underpinned by proprietary AI, which is rare in this market. Backed by Foresight, we now have the platform and the capital to take that globally."

Tavia Sparks, Director at Foresight Group, commented: "Connective3 is exactly the type of business we look to back at Foresight – a high-quality business led by an ambitious management team, with a strong track record and clear opportunities for growth. The team has developed a differentiated proposition that combines marketing expertise with proprietary technology, and we look forward to supporting the business as it continues to scale through investment in AI, international expansion and strategic acquisitions."