Ethical, transparent and respected, the awards are judged by esteemed industry experts who follow a robust two-step judging process that includes pre-scoring to establish a shortlist and judge discussion to determine winners and in some cases silver awards.
None of our Award judges can take part in the competition and any conflicts of interest must be declared.
The UK Digital Excellence Awards have been accredited by the Independent Awards Standards Council – Awards Trust Mark.
Andy is a co-founder of the Dublin Conversations, a non-commercial initiative which is co-creating new thinking and doing to transform communications industries’ practice. He has run pilot trials around the globe on new programmes to enable individuals, teams, and organisations to identify their character and purpose, which will be freely shared when launched this year. Andy has written six books, translated into eight languages on purpose, creativity, social capital, organisational change, and creativity. His wrote book, ‘Creativity in Public Relations’, was the first in the world on the subject and he continues to be at the forefront of new thinking and doing. Andy is a working practitioner and academic teaching innovation, communications and public relations at several universities including Boston University. He is co-founder of social enterprise ‘Grow Social Capital’ that is developing new thinking and doing for community activists and how shared social identities can tackle growing social division. Believing we can all gain inspiration from the unlikeliest of sources, Andy even runs creativity classes on the London Tube.
Beth Hibbert | Founder and PR consultant | Pitchpoint
Beth is an experienced PR professional, working in digital marketing for over a decade. She has experience both in digital agencies and as a freelance PR, working with consumer and B2B brands to support SEO and digital teams achieve search, sales and digital performance goals. Her freelance business Pitchpoint Comms, helps brands get in front of the right audience at the right time: improving brand awareness, delivering clear messages and driving customer action.
Chris Barnicott | Chief Technology Officer | SSE Plc
Chris is currently the Chief Technology Officer for SSE and has over 25 years of experience with technology strategy and solutions for consumers, business and industry. Chris’ career has spanned the beginnings of cable TV, internet and communications in the UK with Virgin Media and the digital evolution of the energy industry with Centrica and SSE.
Christopher Lehault | Integrated Marketing Manager | Campbell Soup Company
Chris Lehault is a hybrid creative/marketing leader who believes that brands succeed when both work together. Currently, he is the VP of Marketing at Other Half Brewing, where he oversees the marketing function, in-house design studio, and the brand's direct-to-consumer eCommerce platform. His previous roles include serving as the Global Director of Brand Experience at ZX Ventures, the accelerator arm of Anheuser Busch InBev, as well as stints as a creative director at FCB, Sapient Razorfish, and Wunderman. Off the clock, he enjoys doing the most suburban of things with his wife and two kids across the river in New Jersey.
Ciara Serrano Temprado | Urlaubstracker | Head of Online Marketing
After graduating from Journalism, Ciara changed her warm hometown, Barcelona, for the vibrant and underground Berlin more than 10 years ago. During this time in the German capital, she has been the SEO expert in different companies in a big range of industries such as travel, ecommerce, music and cars. Her roles have usually involved leading other SEOs and Marketing experts, as well as expanding her knowledge and expertise in other online marketing channels. Currently she is working as an SEO Consultant for small startups that are just getting started.
Daniel Saunders | Head of Performance Marketing | Evergreen Finance London Ltd
I've worked in Digital for 18 years. Within Digital marketing I work closely with the directors and heads of service to identify new business opportunities and Strategies. Having an in-depth understanding of different markets and competitors in the area to maintain a competitive advantage which is used to work alongside key stakeholders in managing the translation of the business strategy into clear plans. Proactively researching markets, competitors within different regions and establishing ways to develop a competitive advantage within our strategies. Within Stanley Black and Decker, I am a catalyst for change, I plan and execute UK market E-commerce and digital marketing activities to increase sales, grow online channels, and grow new and existing online customers managing substantial 6 figures budgets over many different groups. As an international keynote speaker in the Digital sphere, I inspire and lead a large team of specialists, drive the delivery of brilliant digital products and services, mentoring at levels from executives to C suite. I utilize analytics and insight tools to evaluate end-to-end customer experience across multiple customer touch points. Working with trade marketing teams to analyse product categories and make appropriate product mix recommendations and effectively contributes to SEO, PPC, UX and CRO. I have built, nurtured and lead a diverse, multidisciplinary team to deliver digital transformation across the Stanley Black and Decker group. Defining the required digital capabilities across our people, their processes, and the technology we use. With Stanley Black and Decker being a multinational corporation, I make myself a visible leader by holding regular lectures and Q and A sessions with entry executives all the way up to C suite teams.
Davina Lines | Managing Director | Mixing Digital
Davina Lines is Managing Director of Mixing Digital and the Ecommerce Club. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a big black book of digital contacts to ensure Mixing Digital’s event management services are of the highest standard. Davina co-founded Netimperative in 1999 and became Managing Director in 2002, stewarding the brand into new product launches and creating one of the most successful events programmes in the digital marketing industry. In the mid 90s Davina cut her digital teeth on New Media Age (now Econsultancy), forming part of the founding team and was responsible for the commercial development of the magazine and its early events from launch in May 1995 to 1999. In recent years Davina launched an ecommerce peer-to-peer community, the Ecommerce Club, which runs regular events in London and Manchester on topics relevant to the retail community.
Dolores McLaren | Head of SEO | Vodafone UK
Dolores is a highly experienced and knowledgeable professional in the field of Digital marketing. With 20 years of experience in the industry and a specific focus on SEO, CRO, and UX for the past 12 years. As the Head of SEO at Vodafone, she is responsible for overseeing the company's SEO strategy and managing both internal team members and external partners. Dolores has a strong track record of delivering results and maximizing ROI for clients, as demonstrated by her previous roles at Publicis Media and Reprise. Her passion for technology and innovation drives her to continuously improve her digital and coding skills. She has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
Gabriele Bertucci | Marketing, Brand & Communication Consultant |
Gabriele is a London-based marketing, branding, and communication specialist, an award-winning contemporary communicator who offers international strategic consultancy. Previously, he enjoyed a career of over a decade in the beverage industry, working for distinguished companies such as Carlsberg Group and BrewDog. In 2020, he founded What's In The Glass?, a drinks-focused marketing consultancy and media agency. Additionally, he manages "Cosmic Lazers," an independent digital music magazine.
Gerry White | VP of Growth | Mirador Local
Gerry White has been in the industry for 20+ years, with a background in development he transitioned to technical marketing leading on SEO, analytics and digital growth strategies for companies, agencies, the government and corporations such as the BBC. In the past few years Gerry has spoken at conferences around the globe including Paris, Germany, USA and of course the UK. Gerry was the Technical SEO Lead for Just Eat a FTSE 100 company in 12 markets as well as consulting for other e-commerce brands. Gerry was the SEO Director for Rise at Seven from 2020 to 2021 when they grew from 15 to 115 people before returning client side as the head of SEO at Oda an international supermarket.
Jaime Hill | Ecommerce Director | ex Oak Furnitureland, Hurtigruten & Monsoon Accessorize
Jaime has over two decades of experience as a Marketing & Ecommerce professional with a successful track record leading teams and developing strategy to transform organisations’ digital capability and channels to market. She has had success in roles at brands including Avis, Barclays, Dairy Crest and Oak Furnitureland, and across a wide range of B2B and B2C vertical markets. Most recently, Jaime was Interim Head of Ecommerce & Trading at Monsoon. A graduate of the Institute of Digital Marketing and qualified Executive Business Coach, Jaime's professional passion is for making life easier for the customer at every touch point.
Joanna Bodley | Senior Lecturer In Digital Marketing & Marketing | Manchester Metropolitan University
With over ten years’ experience, Joanna Bodley has seen every side of the industry from creative to comms and large to small agencies, as well as in-house teams. She has developed, implemented and overseen social and digital strategies and provided guidance for a wide range of clients like The Co-operative Bank, Gumtree and Chewits. She has a keen understanding of the complexities involved in making digital, social media, content and advertising efforts a success. She harnesses this as a speaker and professional educator, having delivered training for numerous organisations, including Econsultancy. Jo is now a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and course director for their MSc Digital Marketing programme. She also runs her own consultancy, Jo & Co.
John Jones | Corporate Partner | Beever and Struthers
John leads Beever and Struthers' Corporate Team, having been made a Partner in 1999. Beever and Struthers is an award-winning firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors in Manchester, Blackburn and London, and currently rank in the Top 50 firms nationally and Top 10 firms in the North West. John is a local council member of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and has been co-opted to the Partnership Steering Group of the Business Growth Hub. He was Chairman of Pro-Manchester from 2014 - 2015.
Luan Wise | Marketing Consultant | Luan Wise
Luan Wise is a chartered marketer and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) with more than 20 years’ experience in agency, client-side and consultancy roles. She has worked with clients across B2C and B2B, providing both hands-on support and strategic consultancy. In addition, Luan writes and delivers social media marketing training programmes for in-house teams, plus organisations including LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, professional bodies, and university business schools.
Lukasz Zelezny | SEO Consultant |
Lukasz Zelezny, UK Search Awards judge, Top10 UK Social Media influencer and former director of organic performance at uSwitch / Zoopla. Currently is working as an independent SEO Consultant helping in organic traffic acquisition, technical SEO and content marketing. Lukasz started his career in 2005 and has since been responsible for the organic performance of a number of companies including HomeAway, Thomson Reuters, The Digital Property Group, Fleetway Travel, uSwitch, Zoopla. Each year Lukasz is speaking at many SEO and social media conferences. He was a speaker at ClickZ Shanghai China, ClickZ Jakarta Indonesia, SiMGA Malta, SES London as well as Marketing Festival in Brno, Brighton SEO in Brighton and UnGagged in London. Every year he is actively participating in 10 to 20 events as an SEO/Social Media keynote speaker. Additionally, he organizes workshops and meetups where he is sharing tips around SEO, Social Media and Analytics.
Phil Myerscough | Owner/Director, eCommerce & Digital Marketing Consultant | pjm:digital
Phil is an experienced eCommerce professional with nearly 25 years of expertise in eCommerce management and digital marketing. He started his career at Richer Sounds, where he quickly rose from selling hifi on the shop floor to become their first eCommerce Manager at the turn of the millennium. Later, he worked for three well-known Bradford-based mail order businesses, managing and developing their eCommerce operations for a range of fashion brands before a brief foray into the luxury sector at N.Peal. In 2017, Phil established pjm:digital, and works as a consultant for a range of bigger clients, supporting them in their replatforming and digital transformation projects. Alongside this he supports clients manage their development roadmap as a consultant liaison between them and their agencies as well as working as a Shopify and digital marketing agency supplier. Phil is known for his creative thinking and his strong belief in delivering exceptional service across all channels to achieve success. He is particularly passionate about exploring new technologies and leveraging them to enhance e-retail and improve the engagement with consumers through digital platforms. Outside of work, Phil continues to write and produce music in his home studio and dedicates his time as a trustee for Alliance Française de Leeds and Yorkshire's Brain Tumour Charity. He also actively participates in running and fundraising events for Worldwide Cancer Research.
Rejoice Ojiaku is an SEO Specialist & Content Strategist, as well as the Co-Founder of B-DigitalUK – a platform for showcasing and empowering black talent in the UK digital marketing scene. Her expertise lies in SEO, Diversity and inclusion, all bolstered by strong personal branding both online and offline.
Ric Rodriguez | Chief Growth Officer | Raze
Ric Rodriguez is an experienced growth leader with more than ten years working across marketing, digital and technology. Ric is Chief Growth Officer at Raze, a community changing how people engage with - and earn from - advertising. Ric is driven and his career to date speaks to his ambition - from being a co-founder at a sustainable fashion marketplace to holding a senior role at a fine jewellery disruptor - and he has represented all sides of the table; brand, agency and technology. Ric is a respected industry contributor; he has co-authored two books, is regularly an award judge and speaks at conferences internationally.
Sarah Cook | Head of Content |
Sarah has worked in communications for over 15 years: both in-house and for agencies. Most recently, she's been responsible for brand campaigns and content in the Group brand team at Legal & General. Before this, she worked at an international law firm, leading their social media strategy and started her career as a communications consultant, working at PR agencies in London.
Steve Kuncewicz | PARTNER - HEAD OF CREATIVE, DIGITAL & MARKETING | Glaisyers ETL
Steve is a Partner and Head of Creative, Digital and Marketing at Glaisyers ETL in Manchester. He specialises in intellectual property, media social media and privacy law and is listed as a "recommended lawyer" in the Legal 500, and was a oo-founder pf the Bulletproof Agency Network. He is a regular media spokesperson, and has given interviews to the local and national press through BBC Breakfast, Sky News, ITV, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC London. Steve is also the Manchester Publicity Association’s Honorary Solicitor.
Veronika Höller | CompuGroup Medical | Global Senior SEO Manager
Veronika is a Global Senior SEO-Manager and has worked in SEO and PPC marketing for over 14 years. She started as a copywriter and PPC Manager in a little Ads Agency. She has continuously developed herself further into the direction of SEO. Over the years, she has worked as a digital marketing manager in agencies and international companies, including CompuGroup where she is now. International SEO and PPC Strategies are Top of her priority list. She views SEO as a whole puzzle and not just individual sub-areas, hence why she trained herself in all areas – content, technology, PPC, SMM and UX. Today she spreads her knowledge as a speaker on the stages of international digital marketing conferences such as BrightonSEO, SMX advanced, International Search Summit etc. For her all digital marketing channels have to be united to get the best of your website.
Our Event Sponsors & Partners
Latest News
Shooting Star Nominated for Three UK Digital Excellence Awards FinalistsRead More
“After such a successful year, being nominated for the UK Digital Excellence Awards is really the icing on the cake.” Shooting Star Shooting Star
“We’re still a relatively small agency – despite having grown hugely over the past few years – so to be named ‘PPC Agency of the Year’ is a fantastic achievement that the team absolutely deserves as a result of their dedication, expertise, and passion.” Circus PPC Circus PPC
“This recognition not only acknowledges the impact of our platform in our market but would also serve as a great source of motivation for everyone at the company who works on and develops the platform daily.” Bannerflow Bannerflow
“These nominations show the future is brighter than ever. Thank you to the UK Digital Excellence Awards and good luck to all of our fellow finalists.” The Think Tank The Think Tank
‘Awards such as this help recognise the team for their hard work and commitment to clients, and support the company in achieving our vision – to be the leading search marketing specialist for SMEs in London and the South-East.’ FSE Digital FSE Digital
