A Derby digital agency which has built more than 1,000 websites and helped thousands of businesses grow has been named the best web design business in the East Midlands.
JDR Group, based at Wyvern Business Park, has been crowned Web Design Business of the Year 2026 in the My Local Awards.
The award, which was decided by public vote, recognises businesses which have made an impact on their customers and communities. Businesses cannot pay to be nominated, shortlisted or named a winner.
The latest accolade comes more than 20 years after JDR Group was founded in Derby by David Roberts, Leanne Mordue and Will Williamson.
Originally established as a business coaching and consultancy company in 2004, JDR moved into websites and digital marketing three years later as businesses increasingly began looking online to reach customers.
Today it has grown into a full-service digital agency offering web development, SEO, ecommerce, paid advertising, content, email marketing, marketing automation and CRM implementation.
The company has built more than 1,000 websites, helped more than 3,000 businesses and onboarded more than 650 companies onto HubSpot.
In 2023, it became a HubSpot Elite Partner, placing it among the platform’s highest-tier partners worldwide, and last year moved into larger premises at Wyvern Business Park to accommodate its growing team of almost 40 people.
Director Leanne Mordue said: “We are genuinely delighted and incredibly proud. Because the award was voted for by the public, it feels like meaningful recognition from the clients, colleagues and local community who know our work.
“It was also a wonderful moment for our team. Every successful website involves many people behind the scenes, so this win belongs to all of them.”
Leanne said web design remained at the heart of JDR’s work despite the huge changes the digital industry has undergone since the company first started building websites almost two decades ago.
She added: “Web design is where JDR’s journey into digital marketing began and it remains central to what we do. More than 1,000 websites later, we still believe every project should combine great design with commercial purpose and measurable results.
“We start with the business, rather than simply the website. We want to understand its customers, commercial goals and sales process and what the website genuinely needs to achieve.
“That means our clients aren’t just getting a website which looks good – it needs to help them attract customers, generate enquiries and ultimately grow their business.
“A website is a major investment and often the most important marketing asset a business owns. This award shows that our approach, taking time to understand the business, combining design with strategy and remaining accountable for results, is recognised and valued by the people we serve.”
JDR’s designers and developers work alongside specialists in strategy, copywriting, SEO, conversion, advertising and HubSpot, with the company continuing to work with clients after their websites go live to measure performance and make improvements.
Despite now working with businesses across the UK and internationally, Leanne said Derby remained an important part of JDR’s identity.
She said: “We started here in 2004 and have deliberately continued to invest and put down roots in the city.
“Derby has a proud history of innovation, engineering and entrepreneurship and a fantastic business community.
“We’re proud to have created skilled jobs and training opportunities here and to show that a nationally respected digital agency can grow successfully from the East Midlands.”
The company has also helped apprentices begin careers in digital marketing and works with businesses, charities and educational organisations across the region.
Looking ahead, JDR plans to continue expanding its team while helping businesses respond to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and changes in the way customers search online.
Leanne added: “The way people search for and evaluate businesses is changing incredibly quickly.
“AI, automation and personalisation are creating huge opportunities and our focus is on helping businesses remain visible and competitive, both through traditional search engines and emerging AI platforms.
“We’ve changed enormously since JDR started more than 20 years ago, but our purpose has remained the same – helping businesses succeed.”
