Hello there
We’re Richard and Ruth Palmer. We founded Palmer&Co to help inventors, scientists and manufacturers unlock the value of innovation in materials and technology.
We first discovered the power of brand while growing our materials startup D3O into a leading ingredient brand in the impact protection space.
Like most startups, our marketing budget was tiny. But a distinctive visual identity and memorable brand story helped us secure global TV and press coverage and convince brands like Puma, Head Sport and Burton to put D3O in their products.
They knew that our material would enhance the performance of their products, and the power of our brand story would drive sales.
Growing a startup wasn’t easy, but building a strong brand was one of the best business ‘cheat codes’ we ever learned.
It helped us win the faith of investors and persuade a brilliantly talented team of employees to jump aboard our rocket ship.
We also learned that the secret to unlocking the commercial value of innovative technology is to connect it to real human needs.
Now we apply our hard-won expertise and creativity to help other companies grow, from fledgling start-ups to multinational corporations.
You want seasoned experts on your team
Unlike some branding agencies, we won’t dazzle you with a fancy pitch and then hand over the actual work to inexperienced junior staff members.
Instead, we’ll work with you directly every step of the way, providing senior-level strategic advice and hands-on support.
We like to forge long-term partnerships with our clients. We immerse ourselves in your business, becoming an extension of your team - but at a fraction of the price of hiring a full-time employee or a big-name branding agency.
You’ll also benefit from access to the best people we’ve worked with over the years.
Our network of brilliant associates includes veteran copywriters, developers, tone-of-voice experts, marketing specialists, strategists and anthropologists who can help us unearth valuable consumer insights. We act as project managers to ensure the work is consistently executed to the highest standards.
You want top quality work, but your budget doesn’t stretch to big-name agency rates
We’re not the cheapest option. If all you want is a logo, freelance brand designers can do the job.
But if you want a brand that will actually help you drive profits, you need a more strategic approach. That’s where we come in.
We offer top-flight brand and innovation strategy and design that enables you to charge a premium price, increase your market share, and create a tribe of loyal customers.
We understand how to position your brand to win. Not by fitting in with your competitors - but by standing out.
For larger more established brands, we can help you develop a plan for your innovation projects guided by best practices we have learned through running projects for similar brands. We can help you create, capture and get value out of your ideas to ensure healthy growth.
If you need support with brand activation we can help with that too, whether it's creating an athlete ambassador programme, designing a show-stopping exhibition stand or getting your product into retailers. Let us help you find the shortcuts - and avoid the pitfalls - on your journey.
And all without the big-name agency price tag.
We keep costs down - and pass the savings on to you - because we don’t have fancy offices to pay for (though we do have a rather nice coffee machine).
For the past ten years we’ve worked remotely with brands all over the world from a house we designed and built ourselves on the edge of the Sussex Downs, just a short drive to the airport and train station for business travel.
This gives us the flexibility to work with companies whose work truly excites us, rather than merely those with the biggest budgets.
Richard Palmer
Richard is an engineer who studied the Royal college of Art and is a creative entrepreneur by nature, he excels at solving the challenges involved in turning an innovative idea into a commercial reality.
As the founder, inventor and former CEO of impact protection material D3O, he raised millions in funding and transformed the start-up into a market-leading ingredient brand.
He went on to found the London office of strategic innovation firm Idea Couture, leading projects with brands including VF Corporation (Vans, The North Face, Timberland), Whirlpool, Panasonic, Cisco, Samsung, Lee, Wrangler, Bata, Linde, Lululemon, Tesco and Sanofi.
Richard was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by O2 and Arena magazine, and was a finalist at the EPO's European Inventor of the Year Awards. He is a member of EPO’s European Inventor Network and has served as a judge for the EPO and ISPO Brandnew Awards.
He has spoken on innovation and entrepreneurship at conferences around the world, from Taipei to San Francisco and London.
Outside of the office, Richard enjoys snowboarding, kitesurfing, coffee and music.
Richard is available for speaking opportunities and podcasts in 2025.
Latest podcast appearance:
The EPO podcast. Curiosity and courage. The European Inventor Network inspires the next generation
Ruth Palmer
As VP Brand & Marketing of D3O, Ruth built the brand from the ground up.
She created the brand’s distinctive identity, shaped its story and messaging, and negotiated partnerships with the likes of Puma, Spyder, Helly Hansen, 661, Gore-Tex and many others.
She now brings her design flair, brand acumen and strategic vision to projects for clients including VF Corporation, Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, Kora and Body Rocket.
Out of work, she loves long, steep runs in the Sussex countryside surrounding Palmer & Co HQ, hiking through the woods with her dog, snowboarding and yoga.