A Portuguese entrepreneur is marking almost a decade of living in Swindon by launching a new digital agency with ambitions to work with businesses nationally and internationally.
Frederico Cardoso, 37, moved to Swindon from Portugal in 2016 and has since established a career in digital marketing. He has now co-founded Lamproom Digital with Sunderland-based marketer Amy Elise Mercer.
The pair bring almost 20 years of combined experience across search engine optimisation (SEO), content strategy, digital PR, influencer marketing and brand growth.
Born in Porto and raised in neighbouring Vila Nova de Gaia, Fred studied Business Relations in Porto before completing a Master’s degree in Marketing and Strategy in Braga.
He moved to Swindon with his partner Lucia in 2016, initially working client-side as SEO lead at Oak Furnitureland before moving into agency roles.
He is now SEO Strategy Director and Co-Founder of Lamproom, which publicly launched in March this year.
Fred said building a business in Swindon was a significant milestone after almost ten years in the town.
“Swindon has been my home for almost a decade, so reaching that milestone while building a business of my own feels particularly significant,” he said.
“When Lucia and I moved here in 2016, I was beginning a new chapter in both my life and career. The opportunities I’ve had since then have allowed me to develop my expertise, work with businesses across different sectors and ultimately turn the ambition of running an agency into reality.”
Lamproom was created after Fred and Amy worked together at North East agency Silverbean. Discussions about eventually starting their own business developed into the new agency, which they say is built around a more connected approach to search and digital marketing.
Since launching, the company has secured clients in sectors including food and drink, jewellery, retail and home interiors. The business says its growth so far has come through referrals, reputation and the founders’ existing networks rather than outside investment or paid business development.
Fred said the agency was intended to connect digital visibility more closely with commercial results.
“Too often, agencies work in silos or focus on metrics such as traffic without connecting them closely enough to revenue and wider business growth,” he said.
“We’re extremely ROI-oriented. Visibility matters, but clients should be able to clearly understand the commercial value they are receiving.”
Lamproom works across search engines, social platforms, AI tools and digital media, bringing together technical SEO, content, digital PR and brand authority as part of what it describes as a full-funnel approach.
The agency’s name comes from the Davy lamp, reflecting its aim of helping businesses navigate an increasingly complicated digital search landscape.
Fred says his Portuguese background and Amy’s North East roots also influenced the business.
“Growing up in Porto and now building a business with roots in Sunderland, I was struck by how similar the two cities are,” he said. “Both were built on industry, resilience and communities that value hard work.
“Those values have shaped Lamproom, but Swindon has played an equally important part in my own story. It is where I’ve built my career, made a home and now taken the step into entrepreneurship.”
Amy Mercer, Creative Strategy Director and Co-Founder, said the pair’s different backgrounds had proved to be a strength.
“Fred and I grew up in different countries, but we quickly realised our backgrounds and values had far more in common than they did differences,” she said.
“We want Lamproom to be intelligent but approachable, ambitious but grounded, and genuinely invested in every client’s success.”
Fred said the agency’s long-term ambition was not simply to become a large business.
“Our ambition isn’t to be the biggest agency. It’s to become the agency clients trust the most.”
For more information about Lamproom Digital, visit lamproomdigital.com.
