Santander UK Digital Archive Wall

History Ink has been working together with Santander UK since 2021 on a wide-ranging and complex heritage project that encompassed finding and organising their archives, discovering their historical narrative and contributions to society, and sharing these stories in imaginative ways for various audiences.

A highlight of Santander UK’s 175th anniversary celebrations in 2024 was a Digital Archive Wall. Created by History Ink and our digital exhibition partners, Airavata Productions, this interactive exhibit leverages the archives to share stories of Santander’s predecessors and their role in British history. We started by delving into different archives in the UK and Spain to find early adverts, accounts, minute books, newsletters and ephemera from Santander UK and its predecessor companies – which include familiar names such as Abbey National, the Alliance & Leicester Building Society, Bradford & Bingley and the National Girobank.

Through sharing these historic documents in the digital exhibit – some of which date back to the early 1800s – we were able to tell the fascinating story of the company, weaving together themes of democracy, financial inclusion, and providing a means for secure investments and homes for all. Users can examine historic documents, listen to audio recordings, and flick through old photographs and pamphlets. One of our favourite discoveries was that 221B Baker Street – the home of Sherlock Holmes – was actually inside Abbey's HQ, and Abbey hired someone to answer the letters posted for the detective from fans around the world!

The exhibit provides an immersive, accessible and fun brand experience for visitors to Santander's UK new head office at Unity Place in Milton Keynes, as well as for the Santander team worldwide through an online intranet version. If you are nearby the head office, be sure to visit.