Reimagining the annual report for a digital-first audience

The challenge

As one of the UK’s largest trust ports, Harwich Haven Authority plays a vital role in supporting commercial shipping, leisure users, the environment and the wider regional economy. Each year, they produce an annual report for a broad range of stakeholders, from The Department of Transport to local communities.

For 2024, the Authority set out to expand beyond a traditional printed document and create a more engaging digital experience. The ambition was to deliver their first microsite-based annual report, bringing together content from across the organisation in a more accessible and dynamic format.

The challenge was to deliver this within a fixed deadline, while coordinating input from multiple departments and presenting complex operational and financial information with clarity. The platform also needed to be editable in-house, supporting a more efficient and sustainable approach to future reporting.

Our approach

Drawing on a relationship that dates back to 2014, we brought an in-depth understanding of HHA’s operations and stakeholders. This allowed us to establish a clear process from the outset, with defined timelines and milestones to maintain momentum throughout.

Working closely with teams across the organisation, we ensured content was gathered and aligned efficiently. While HHA had a clear vision, we helped shape the structure and bring everything together into a cohesive microsite experience.

We focused on creating a platform that balanced robust functionality with ease of use, while carefully managing the mix of detailed financial reporting and more engaging, community-led content.

What we delivered

We designed and developed the Authority’s first microsite-based annual report, transforming a complex body of information into a clear and engaging digital experience.

Content from across the organisation was brought together into a structured narrative, combining financial reporting with a strong focus on social value, sustainability and carbon reduction. Infographics, video, key statistics and case studies were integrated throughout to make information accessible and engaging.

Alongside the microsite, we produced a supporting summary print version of the report, ensuring a consistent and considered experience across both digital and physical formats.

The platform was designed to be intuitive to navigate while supporting deeper exploration through downloadable reports and supporting content. It was also built to be fully editable, giving HHA the flexibility to manage and evolve future reports internally.

The impact

The new microsite provides a more accessible and engaging way for HHA to communicate with its stakeholders, improving how information is shared and understood across a diverse audience.

Moving to a primarily digital format has also delivered clear financial and environmental benefits, significantly reducing print volumes and associated production costs while lowering the overall carbon impact of the report.

The platform creates a flexible space for both detailed reporting and wider storytelling, helping to highlight the organisation’s impact more effectively. Internally, the editable structure streamlines the reporting process, making future updates more efficient and cost effective.

Working together

We’ve partnered with HHA since 2014, supporting the organisation as it evolves while maintaining a consistent and trusted relationship.

Our work has spanned a radical and extensive rebrand, website and signage projects, giving us a deep understanding of the organisation and how it operates. That continuity allows us to work efficiently and collaboratively, with clear communication ensuring projects stay on track from start to finish.

“Working with Ascender is a pleasure. They consistently bring fresh, creative ideas while staying true to our brand identity, which makes a real difference in how we present ourselves. The team is highly responsive, easy to collaborate with, and always delivers on time. They truly feel like an extension of our own team, and we couldn’t recommend them more highly.”

– Helen Rudd, HHA