Marketing Data – Measuring What Matters

Joined Platform81
on first day of trading – 3rd January 2008 🙂

Background

Nick has had a lifelong passion for marketing and founded Platform81 back in 2008.
Over the years he has worked with hundreds of clients across a wide range of industries, helping businesses deliver effective websites, branding, and digital marketing strategies.
With nearly two decades of experience in the digital space, Nick has supported organisations of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups to established brands, focusing on practical, results-driven digital solutions that genuinely support business growth.

Role at Platform81

As Founder and Sales Director, Nick works closely with new and existing clients to understand their goals and identify opportunities where web, design, and digital marketing can make a measurable difference. He leads the Platform81 Sales team and plays a central role in building strong business and referral networks throughout the UK.
Nick helps shape project strategy, guides clients through the discovery process, and ensures every project kicks off with clear goals and the right approach. He focuses on making sure projects deliver real results and meaningful impact for clients.

Outside of Work

Nick is a regular runner and gym-goer, and as a dedicated Man United season ticket holder, it’s been an emotional few years!
Nick is actively involved in the local community as a Governor at Trafford & Stockport College Group and a committee member at Stockport Rugby Club.
Nick also enjoys travelling, especially with his wife Lindsey and son Ollie, and is always on the lookout for any chance to combine a holiday with watching live sport. If there’s a stadium within striking distance of a beach or a good local pub, you can be sure he’ll find it, sometimes more for the beers than the sport!

Specialist Knowledge

Nick describes himself as a bit of an all-rounder, or in his words, “a master of none, but with a good understanding of most.”

Joined Platform 81 in August 2025

Background
Over 10 years of experience in digital marketing, having worked across both agencies and in house companies before joining Platform81. I hold a background in Psychology, which informs my analytical approach to campaign strategy and audience behaviour.

Role at Platform81
I lead the paid media team and oversee strategy and execution across a portfolio of client accounts. My day-to-day spans Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Shopping feeds, and paid social, with a focus on data-driven performance and measurable returns. I’m also responsible for attribution, tracking implementation, and upskilling the wider team on paid media best practices.

Outside of Work
I have a keen interest in technology, spending time building custom tools and exploring automation. I also enjoy music across a broad range of genres.

Specialist Knowledge
Paid Media Strategy, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Paid Social, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager (Web & Server-Side), Tracking & Attribution, BigQuery, Shopping Feed Optimisation, Python, Data Analysis & Reporting, Technical SEO, Conversion Rate Optimisation, AI & Automation in Marketing
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-l-6626945a

Joined Platform81 in April 2025

Background
Matt got into marketing in 2017 after university, starting out in an admin role that quickly evolved into a hands-on crash course in branding, website design, PPC, and SEO. It didn’t take long for him to realise that the commercial and analytical side of marketing was where he really thrived.

Shortly afterwards, Matt set up his own PPC agency, which he successfully ran for around six years. During that time he worked with hundreds of businesses across a range of sectors, as well as building and operating his own ecommerce ventures. Running businesses himself gave him a valuable client-side perspective on marketing, from managing margins and cash flow to understanding how marketing decisions directly impact commercial performance.

Having already worked with the Platform81 team, and aligning really well with their ambitions, joining forces was the natural next step. The opportunity to work with a wider team and support businesses with a more holistic marketing approach made it an easy decision.

Role at Platform81
As Business Development Manager, Matt works within the Sales team to drive agency growth by building new client relationships and supporting existing clients as their marketing evolves.

His background in PPC means that many conversations start around paid media, but Matt now works across the full range of Platform81’s services including web, SEO, design and wider digital strategy. He takes a consultative approach, focusing on understanding how a business actually operates before recommending where marketing investment will have the biggest impact.

Outside of Work
Outside of work, Matt keeps himself busy with a wide range of hobbies (some more impulsive than others), including running, the gym, playing football, and has a couple of triathlons under the belt (eyeing up an Ironman one day). Matt follows Welsh rugby closely and is also a long-time Liverpool FC supporter.

He and his fiancé Sophie renovated their home from top to bottom, and he likes to think he’s handy at DIY, although his miniature dachshund Eddie rules the roost, despite weighing about 7kg (in fairness, he is named after Eddie Hall – World’s Strongest Man 2017).

Specialist Knowledge
Matt’s core expertise sits in PPC and paid media strategy, having spent the majority of his career working hands-on within the space and managing hundreds of advertising accounts across a wide range of industries.

While he’s more than comfortable getting into the detail of campaign builds and account optimisation, Matt’s real strength lies in the strategic side of performance marketing. He focuses on structuring campaigns around how a business actually operates – its products, services, customers and commercial goals – rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

His experience running both an agency and ecommerce businesses gives him a strong understanding of the commercial pressures that business owners face. Combined with his ability to communicate both technically with developers and commercially with business leaders, Matt helps bridge the gap between marketing activity and meaningful business results.