Ryan always had a natural leaning toward storytelling. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in creative arts,” he says. During university, he began writing reviews for online gaming magazines, which opened the door to content creation. But the real turning point came when YouTube first launched. “I saw it and thought, this is going to change everything,” he recalls.
At 22, he pitched a short film about teenage pregnancy to the NHS. It went viral, becoming his first taste of large-scale impact. That success planted the seed for RD Content, one of the UK’s first agencies to focus solely on branded YouTube content. “Back then, I was pitching YouTube to clients who didn’t even understand the platform,” he says, laughing.
Both of Ryan's parents are entrepreneurs, which played a significant role in shaping his own entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up in an environment where business-minded thinking was always present, he saw firsthand the dedication and resilience required to run a successful business. This undoubtedly influenced his decision to venture into the creative industry, where he could channel his passion and ambition into building his own companies. Having such entrepreneurial role models helped him understand the importance of taking risks and staying determined in the face of challenges.
Founding a business at such a young age wasn’t without its risks. Ryan took out a £4,000 loan to buy his first camera and landed a £15,000 job—but soon found himself nearly broke six months in. “I got offered a stable job elsewhere, and it was tempting. But I decided to stick with my business, and a week later, another opportunity came through. That decision changed everything.”
Growing up in the Northeast didn’t disadvantage me.
That leap of faith paid off. RD Content is now an international agency, and RD Studios—one of the largest film studios in central London—was launched to meet the creative demands of streamers, advertisers, and artists. He’s produced work ranging from branded films to a children’s show (The Treehouse) and has a feature film releasing later this year.
Over the years, Ryan has also worked with an impressive list of celebrities. His favourite collaborations have included David Beckham, Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Chris Rock, and Dua Lipa—each offering a unique creative experience and adding to the breadth of his company’s reach and reputation.
Despite the pace of his career, Ryan hasn’t lost touch with where he comes from. “I don’t think growing up in the Northeast gave me a disadvantage,” he says. “It’s a hard industry no matter where you're from. But if you’re determined and creative, it’s absolutely possible.” He still has strong ties to the region—many of the builders who helped construct RD Studios came from the Northeast, and he’s passionate about opening doors for talent outside the London bubble.
Ryan’s biggest professional breakthrough came when RD Content was selected as the global content agency for Williams Formula One. “We were one of ten agencies pitching, and we won. That was a turning point—standing on the edge of Grand Prix tracks, creating content for one of the most iconic teams in motorsport.”
But what makes Ryan’s story really special—at least from my perspective—isn’t just the work he’s done. It’s how he’s done it. Alongside building companies, managing teams, and creating world-class content, he’s a dedicated husband and father to three lovely children. He prioritises family time without fail, whether it’s weekends away, school runs, or just being present at home. It’s something I really admire. No matter how busy things get, he makes time for the people who matter most.
He also carves out space for himself—he’s a keen golfer and makes time for the course when he can. That balance between ambition and personal life has always stood out to me.
He’s currently exploring ways to give back more directly to creatives from the Northeast. His companies already work with LAMDA, the National Film and Television School, and others to support young talent, and he’s now in conversation with Northumbria University to help students get real experience. “I’d love to set something up back home one day,” he says. “Whether that’s a studio, a mentorship program, or a retreat—it’s something I think about a lot.”
To anyone starting out from outside the London bubble, his advice is key to starting out: “Don’t wait for someone to give you permission. I didn’t go to a school with a theatre or film department. I just started writing articles and sending them out for free, hoping someone would publish them. It opened the first few doors, and from there, I kept going.”
As his sister—twenty years younger—I’ve had the unique experience of watching Ryan build his businesses from a distance and then getting to know him properly as an adult. Despite his success, he’s still the same grounded, kind, funny person he’s always been. He makes time for his wife and three lovely children, keeps up with his hobbies like golf, and is always there when it matters. His journey proves that you can build something huge without losing who you are—or where you came from.
A well written article about a real success story