Sam Rudland
Founder / CEO
Sam cut her teeth in the rugged mobile computing space working for a vendor that transitioned from a direct to indirect model. She's in her element working in the channel.
Sam advises on strategy and planning for clients.
She is passionate about the benefits of fitness and regularly organises team workouts, often accompanied by her two dogs.
We ensure she's kept plied with a regular flow of coffee which fuels her creativity.
Mike Harrison
Solutions Director
Mike is our marketing technology specialist and guru when it comes to strategy and the creative. He has been fortunate to spend over 20 years in the field of digital marketing both in senior roles and working for clients in the channel. We keep his brains fed on a blend of coffee, crisps and cake.
Marie Hughes
Financial Controller
Marie is a finance chartered accountant with a varied finance background. She laughs at all of Mike's jokes (no matter how bad!) and resembles a tomato after exercising.
Jack Embling
Account Director
Jack is a digital native who never knew a world without the Internet. He has a strong understanding of partner portals and digital marketing. Jack has a love of fast cars, skiing and downing oddly coloured drinks at festivals.
Ed Anderson-Stewart
Account Director
Ed is a highly experienced technology marketer, with over 20 years spent working for tech organisations both large and small, client-side and agency side. He’s equally at home designing marketing strategy as he is honing copy for PPC ads… and everything in between. When not collaborating with our clients, you’ll likely find Ed on the tennis court or a football pitch either playing or coaching.
Patrick Brownlee-Smith
Account Director
Patrick has over 20 years experience as a PR and Marketing specialist for tech companies and has worked both client-side and in multiple agencies. He helps clients with content strategy and creation but has also been known to obsess over the use of a semi-colon. When not working, Patrick likes to spend time with his family, but he also likes open-water swimming and has written one book (so far!).
Nicky Jackson
Senior Account Manager
Nicky is passionate about tech marketing and PR. Having worked for more than 25 years in technology companies, she understands the importance of effective channel marketing strategy to achieve business growth. When not working on client accounts, Nicky can be found ogling gadgets in Stuff magazine.
Debbie McGowan
Marketing Manager
Debbie is a highly motivated, result-led digital marketeer, having worked in the digital arena since 2006. With a focus on data, Debbie is adept at identifying trends and interpreting the data, with the intention to optimise marketing activity. When not working or entertaining her young family, she can often be found with a large cup of tea and her head buried in a book!
Sarah Chidgey
PR Associate
PR is in Sarah's DNA. She loves all country sports especially horse racing.
Sam Crowe
Associate PR Director
Sam’s an award-winning PR consultant and advises Essential's clients on strategy. Sam has a camper van and will spend weekends on adventures with her young family.
Kato
Head of Special Projects
Kato has a number of key roles. He checks out everyone's lunch to ensure they are eating a balanced diet, moves his bed in front of the door to stop us leaving early and entertains us with his doggie humour (which is usually funnier than Mike's).
Archie
Deputy of Special Projects
While Archie is also on lunch duty, he takes care of cleaning by eliminating any crumbs and gobbling them up. He is also a great communicator, letting everyone know he is happy with our work environment by loudly snoring in his bed.