About us

Bethan

Account Manager

With a degree in Events and Business Management and a Masters in Sport Management from the University of Chester, I initially landed a job in Client Services fresh out of University and it has stayed that way since. Starting out in a marketing agency focused on branding, I quickly realised how much I love working with clients and seeing projects come to life. From brainstorming to final delivery, I enjoy managing every step of the process while building strong relationships with our lovely clients along the way! When I’m not managing projects, you’ll find me on the hockey pitch or competing in the latest fitness trend, Hyrox. I've always had a passion for being involved in sport, whether it’s coaching, playing or watching, sport has always been my favourite way to unwind. Some may say I'm a tad competitive - but I like to call it 'enthusiastic'!

Natalie

Senior Account Executive

I started my marketing career in the healthcare sector before moving to a full-service agency where I got stuck into everything from print to social to digital marketing. It was during this time that I found my passion for branding, design, and video, which led me to Ultimate! Now, I love seeing projects from start to finish and bringing client briefs to life. With a passion for copywriting, I also enjoy working alongside the team on the Ultimate brand. In my spare time, you'll find me hanging out with friends across Manchester, getting crafty, or honing my side-hustle as a professional singer. Pass the mic!

Roy

Full-Stack Developer

Matt

Chairman

I hold the position of Chairman at Ultimate, having founded the company in 1994 at the age of 19. I’d like to think my entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in its success, but maybe I should let others be the judge of that. I now lead the executive board, where I support the vision of the CEO and senior leadership team. Over the years, I’ve held multiple leadership and board positions and have extensive experience across many sectors, including technology, creative industries, sports, performance, and well-being. Although varied in nature, they all share a common thread: a focus on entrepreneurship and the successful collaboration of exceptional people. I recently cycled the entire 2021 Tour de France route as part of a team that raised more than £1.3 million for the charity Cure Leukaemia. This is one of my proudest achievements, as well as being an official ambassador for the Seashell Trust, a national charity that supports children and young adults with the most complex learning difficulties. In addition, I hold a trustee position with the Being Foundation. The following philosophy encapsulates the essence of my approach to life, work, and pretty much everything: "Enjoy life, do great work." This mantra serves as a guiding principle in all I do.

Wade

Senior Developer

I am a full-stack developer and joined Ultimate earlier this year. I started developing commercial websites back in 2010 and have continued ever since! I have spent a lot of my career working on high-profile open-source projects which I love, however over recent years I have found a real passion for venturing into AI/VR app development.

Nicola

Motion Graphic Designer

I started working with Ultimate in 2018 shortly after graduating from university with 1st in Photography. I landed my first agency role and first role in the industry as a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprentice with Richard as my mentor. I completed level 3 in 2019 and then went on to do Level 4, both of which I passed with distinction. I have given so many different tasks a go along the way to find my niche but have really enjoyed working on all things motion graphics! During lockdown I self-taught After Effects, Premiere Pro and Illustrator and after that, I quickly started working on short videos for clients, and the rest is history really. I’ve worked on several incredible projects for clients and each one has taught me something new. I think every day at work is a learning day, and I am genuinely inspired by everyone I work with and looking forward to seeing what my next steps look like with Ultimate. I’ve got a true love for the Lake District, and tied the knot there in November 2022 after 9 years of being engaged! We share our life with an unruly cat who truly believes the world is here for him, and a new puppy who has me wrapped around his paws! I’d love to return to brass banding one day, which is where I met my, now husband, in 2010.

Sarah

Head of Client Services

I've worked in the Tourism & Hospitality sector for over 10 years now, initially, I work in-house as a marketing manager for hotel and restaurant groups. Over four years ago I decided it was time for a change and moved to Ultimate and joined the client services department. Since being at Ultimate I have delivered a variety of projects for clients such as technical ticketing systems, new brands, new websites and creative campaigns. I've worked with some big household names such as Chester Zoo, James' Places and Darwin Escapes. When I'm not at work my son keeps me very occupied and I love nothing more than being on holiday with my family!

Jon

Chief Commercial Officer

Where to start... with over two decades of experience in technology and marketing, lots of hard work and big ambitions, I'd like to say I've established myself as a leading professional in the field. I've spent my career leveraging my expertise to collaborate with various top-tier brands and organisations and spearheading a diverse range of technical projects including sophisticated apps, complex websites and 3rd party integrations to clients' backend systems and platforms. I'm a huge lover of golf and spend my spare time trying to improve my handicap, and when I'm not at the golf course, I'm spending time with my little (not so little anymore) girl.

Kane

Lead UX/UI Designer

I have been a senior UX designer here at Ultimate for 3 years now. I come from a web design/development background which is where my passion for creating functional products began. I have been in the design industry for over 8 years now and have done everything from print to web development so I've seen it all. With all this experience I'm hoping AI doesn't replace me. Fingers crossed!

Heather

Senior Designer

I joined Ultimate over 4 years ago, and in that time I've really developed and evolved both as a person and a designer. I'm really proud of the things I’ve achieved and the projects I’ve been able to work on - from creative and branding projects, right through to full digital pieces. Outside of work, I’m usually socialising with family or friends. If I’m not doing that, I’m usually finding the next thing to decorate around the house or just getting out for a nice walk in nature!

Toni

Senior UX/UI Designer

I began my career in Spain 15+ years ago designing magazines primarily working in printing houses and agency environments. Graphic design was my core skill until I moved to the UK in 2015 when I took a very keen interest in interactive design, branding and digital communications. When I'm not at work I'm either cooking up a pretty good paella, or out listening to music.

Lisa

Lead Designer

I’ve been part of Ultimate for 20 years this year and the journey has been incredible! I LOVE the kick-off of any creative or brand project. Understanding the client and getting under the skin of a brief is key to everything, once this bit is in motion the creative possibilities really open up and we can create our BEST work. Outside of Ultimate there’s two big things for me…family life! and a new obsession (i’m genuinely OBSESSED :D) with ceramics, so if i get the opportunity i’m usually creating something with clay!

Stefan

Digital Director

I have worked at Ultimate for over 10 years and I head up our website development team, delving into every brief with genuine enthusiasm and grit, in order to create the best solution for our clients. When I'm not at work you'll find me spending time with my beautiful family.

Richard

CEO

It's slightly alarming (to me) that I've been leading businesses for over 20 years now! I'm lucky to have worked with some inspiring people and organisations, some you'll never have heard of but employ hundreds of thousands of people, others are household names like Microsoft, P&G, Siemens and Sony. As CEO, my job is to set overall direction and to lead the organisation. I joined ultimate in September 2021. In 2022 we increased revenue by 25% and a further 15% in 2023, but what's even more rewarding is working with our phenomenal team and the work we deliver for our clients, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon. I'm a little obsessed with leading a healthy lifestyle and maximising my health-span, which includes enjoying the work I do. Before Ultimate I was on the board of a staffing company with revenues of over £1billion, a partner at an executive search firm, and for over a decade, a partner at a global sales performance organisation which gave me the opportunity to travel all over the world. I miss some of that travel, but not the jet lag!

Lauren

Account Executive

I joined Ultimate a year ago when I decided it was time for a change. I spent the past 10 years in retail before joining Ultimate and although the change has been HUGE it's been AMAZING! I've loved how much I've learnt and developed over the past year and I now get to help a vast range of clients in different sectors. When I'm not a work I love to spend time with my beautiful fur baby Murphy!

Libby

Account Manager

I have worked in the creative sector for over 6 years now and have spent the last 5 in client services roles. I originally worked on brand engagement solutions for airlines and restaurants and have spent the last 3 years with the Ultimate team. Here I manage creative and digital projects for clients that deliver impactful results. At home, I spend lots of time with my fur baby Poppy and renovating my house. I am also a big lover of good food and going to art exhibitions.

Connell

Digital Solutions Consultant

I've worked for Ultimate for nearly 3 years now and have over 10 years of experience in the digital space. My background is in project management and I help our clients to craft digital solutions and their delivery to match commercial needs and requirements. I'm powered on lots of energy drinks as I've just had a little baby girl so unlike everyone else in the office, I don't have much spare time at the moment ha!

Jill

Operations Manager

I've worked for Ultimate for just over 2 years now, before coming to Ultimate I spent 35 years in the design industry, I have been a designer, studio manager, traffic manager and operations manager. I've also got experience in photography, still life, CGI, animation, UX and web development. I'm a woman of many trades and the master of spinning plates! My role at Ultimate is to keep all the cogs turning and to keep all jobs on time and on budget. In my spare time outside of work, I am an avid gardener and also spend lots of time with my fur babies Bill (my cat) and Ted (my dog).

Miro

Full-Stack Developer

I'm a WordPress full-stack developer with a passion for mixing and mastering music. I've been working as a developer for the past 3 years at Ultimate, where I've built websites for a variety of clients in lots of different sectors. I love being able to turn coffee into code haha but outside of work I love to spend time in the studio mixing and mastering music.