Our history
NABS was founded in 1913 to support people working in the advertising, media and marketing industry. Since we started, we've evolved to respond to the needs of our industry and will continue to adapt to advance the mental wellness of everyone working in it.
Supporting the industry for over 100 years
1913 inaugural meeting
of the National Advertising Society & Benevolent Institution
1925
Renamed to the National Advertising Benevolent Society, or NABS
1932
Two Freds fundraising cricket match launches, which ran for 60 years
1962 first NABS Rugby 7s
event takes place, which ran up until 2015
1966
Peterhouse, former NABS-owned retirement village opens in Bexhill-on-Sea
1972
The infamous annual NABS Boxing Night launches
1976 NABS Banger Race
takes place at Wimbledon stadium, where industry folk raced against pro drivers
1989
First calls taken on the Advice Line, which launched as the NABS Helpline. The Advice Line has taken tens of 1000's of calls since its launch
1992
Payroll Giving scheme launched
1999 Jeremy Bullmore establishes Fast Forward
NABS' annual pitch training programme, which brings together people from across the industry community to collaborate on a charity brief
2002 John Bartle launches May Day Pay Day
asking industry folk to donate their earnings from the late May bank holiday to NABS
2003
Big Bash gala evening launches - now known as Stranger than Summer - bringing together 1,000 people from across our community to raise money for NABS
2013
NABS celebrates turning 100 years old
2013
NABS launches Resilience Programme, identifying need for supporting people to manage pressure and stress, launching a range of workshops, coaching and support
2016 Working Parents programme developed
offering mentoring, coaching and workshops and Ride Adland joins our roster of fundraisers
2019 NABS brings WellFest to the industry
bringing together leaders and change-makers to hear from experts and activists on workplace wellness
2020
NABS moves services online as UK goes into lockdown, supporting our industry through one of the most challenging times in our history
2023 NABS goes All Ears
running our first ever community consultation, giving a deep and up-to-date picture of the state of mental wellness in our industry
2024
In response to the findings of All Ears, NABS launches Managers' Mindsets, a programme of support for the managers of our industry
2025
NABS unveils a new brand and website, working harder to reach those who need us most and providing resources to help everyone find their way forward
