Manchester-based Mark Studio is understood to have picked up the first public-facing brief on the NWDA’s design roster. It is believed the agency will craft a brand for the Ancoats area of Manchester.

It is not yet clear what the Ancoats brief will entail, but the move follows Creative Concern’s recent appointment to brand fellow Manchester suburb Wythenshawe and Hemisphere’s identity work for Oldham.

The NWDA revealed its design services roster for the year last month. It is believed that over 100 agencies expressed an interest in joining the panel with 66 submitting applications.