King’s Award for agency founded by ARU student
Rhotic Media to receive enterprise award for widening access to careers
Joe McGrath at his MBA graduation
An agency founded by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) doctoral student Joe McGrath has been named a recipient of The King’s Award for Enterprise in the category of promoting opportunity through social mobility.
The honour recognises Rhotic Media’s sustained commitment to widening access to careers in financial marketing and communications, an area closely aligned with McGrath’s academic research at ARU, where he is currently undertaking a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
His doctoral work focuses on improving how workplaces support social mobility and facilitate degree apprenticeships within financial marketing, exploring how employers can create more inclusive, structured, and socially mobile pathways into the industry.
McGrath, who previously completed his MBA at ARU, was named the university’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2025, recognising his leadership in building Rhotic Media into a global content agency with a strong social mission.
Founded in 2016, Rhotic Media has grown from a small editorial consultancy into an agency serving financial institutions, fintechs, and professional services firms worldwide. Throughout this growth, the company has embedded structured training, paid internships, and progression pathways designed to support individuals who may not otherwise have access to careers in financial media.
The company employs ARU apprentices and partners with the university, offering ARU students free tickets to conferences, dinners and networking events as well as work placements.
“It is an absolute honour to be recognised by His Majesty in this way. One of the founding principles of Rhotic Media was to advance opportunities for those who may not otherwise have access to them.
“We still believe that the best colleagues are those who embrace continuous learning and who refuse to accept their starting point in life should limit their potential. I’m proud that our team has now been recognised, globally, for supporting clients while also striving to be the very best they can be.”
Joe McGrath, Founder and CEO of Rhotic MediaThis year marks the 60th anniversary of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, which continue to celebrate the ambition, innovation, and social impact of UK businesses. The Promoting Opportunity category recognises organisations that actively remove barriers to employment and champion social mobility, principles that sit at the heart of both Rhotic Media’s mission and McGrath’s academic work.
McGrath will attend a Royal reception later this year, and the company will receive its award from His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant during an official presentation.
“Joe is a true champion of social mobility who puts his principles into practice. His business provides great opportunities for our students to attend major industry events, build their professional confidence, and network alongside hundreds of senior leaders.
“This social capital opens doors for our students and breaks down their barriers to entry in finance and marketing. Joe is a fantastic example of how business can drive tangible change, and I'm incredibly proud to see his dedication to social mobility recognised with the King’s Award.”
Dr Ying Wang, Associate Professor and Director of Research at Anglia Ruskin University
“An ARU DBA enables ambitious professionals to accelerate their careers and create lasting impact. Drawing on the social sciences, the programme equips leaders with powerful analytical tools to navigate complexity, strengthen decision making, improve systems, and contribute positively to organisations and society.”
Dr Chris Callaghan, Director of the Economics of AI Research Laboratory (EARL) at ARU