We bring big ideas to life through award-winning online animations, high-profile cultural events, and the latest thought leadership.
Once the powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, the foundry has evolved for a new era.
Butterley is a virtual foundry for the knowledge economy - we manufacture the content and experiences that are the building blocks of the information age.
The Alchemy of Content
An idea can only have an impact if it can be heard. We turn complex, challenging content into inspiring, digestible, and accessible formats – both live and online.
Our Services
From whiteboard explainer videos to colourful character animations, we create award-winning viral videos that communicate big ideas to big audiences.
From panel debates and ideas festivals to live radio broadcasts and major political speeches, we provide end-to-end production of thoughtful events to educate and entertain.
Thought Leadership
Horizon-scanning, trend forecasting, and policy research – we know the influential figures and burning topics in the worlds of politics, business, science, education, and the arts, and can easily guide you to what’s hot and what’s not.
Public Speaking
Having worked with the world’s top orators on their speeches and delivery, we provide speech-writing and coaching services for even the most experienced public speaker.
The Foundry Founder
I’m Abi Stephenson - curator and producer of ideas-led events, festivals and award-winning online animations.
With over a decade’s experience at the forefront of the global ideas space, I’ve helped shape the on and offline conversation about some of the biggest issues of the 21st century.
I founded Butterley to help good ideas go viral - through smart-thinking animations, major cultural events, political panels, academic conferences, policy roundtables, radio broadcasts and pop-up festivals.
With over 100 million views and extraordinary global impact, RSA Animations have become iconic in popular digital culture.
I worked alongside a hugely talented RSA Fellow called Andrew Park to bring the RSA Animate series to life. Over many years and iterations, we evolved the content and direction of the series, creating a new genre of ‘explainer videos’ that set the pace for many high-profile media outlets and broadcasters.
Testimonials
Ian Leslie, journalist & broadcaster
“Abi doesn't just tap into the zeitgeist; she shapes it. She has an incredible knack for spotting the most interesting people and ideas around and presenting them in a way that helps us understand the unfolding story of our times.”
Matthew Taylor, RSA chief executive
“Abi is an incredibly innovative and creative thinker. She made a major contribution to making the RSA's content a global brand. She has the unusual capacity both to have great ideas, and to be skilled at putting them into action.”
Roman Krznaric, author, empathy museum founder
“To put it simply, Abi is one of the most brilliant cultural entrepreneurs I've ever met. She is the producer of the RSA's path-breaking RSA Animate series which has not only had 100m plus views but has also had a major global impact on how big ideas are communicated to large numbers of people. ”
Tom Chatfield, writer, broadcaster, tech philosopher
“Abi is one of the UK's leading intellectual and cultural curators: someone who has spent a decade making smart thinking accessible, engaging and beautiful, and helped set new standards for enlightened (and enlightening) public debate.”