Andrew Halliday, Head of SEM at Satsuma Loans (Official Keynote)

Andy is a digital marketer with for over 5 years’ experience in SEM. He first learnt his trade in SEO before covering all aspects of SEM activity. His recent roles include Ebuyer where, as Head of SEO and PPC, he was responsible for all inbound channels.

Andy’s current role is Head of SEM for Satsuma Loans where he’s tasked with establishing and growing B2B and B2C SEO and PPC strategies during an exciting time for the company as it seeks to reach new customers and be their #1 choice online with targeted products and services based on best in class data and analytics. Andy is a regular speaker at some of the UK’s largest conferences and always willing to have a good twitter debate.

Bea Patman, Head of SEO at Greenlight

Bea has worked in digital marketing for over eight years, specialising in organic search. Having originally joined Greenlight in 2012, she now leads the team of consultants as Head of SEO.

She has led SEO strategy for a variety of major UK and international brands, both in English and German, and draws from her background in writing to bring creativity and a content-led approach to her work.

Session: The UX & SEO Venn – Transforming old tensions into an integrated digital vision

Lawrence Alexander, Digital Strategy Director at Home Agency

Lawrence is a strategist specialising in digital and brand communications. He’s worked with over 150 high street brands including Microsoft, Mashable, BMW, Sony and Unilever.

Since 1999, Lawrence has been using a mixture of behavioural psychology and digital brand strategy to help businesses and brands achieve their business objectives.

Session: Sales before search: Why alternative search engines and ‘renting’ ranking space might be the answer to your sales targets.

Stephen Kenwright, Director of Search at Branded3

Having previously worked in-house at FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing business Mitie, Stephen is from a background in advertising and has an MA in Shakespeare.

He now works closely with Branded3’s PR, Content Marketing, Design/Development and Paid Search teams to deliver SEO performance for some of the world’s biggest brands.”

Session: Second-screen search: How mobile has taken over from desktop

Ian Harris, CEO & Founder at Search Laboratory

Ian is the founder and CEO of global search engine marketing agency Search Laboratory. For the last nine years his unique scientific and mathematical approach to search engine optimisation and pay-per-click advertising has seen him grow Search Laboratory from a two-man operation to today employing over 150 in-house search specialists and linguists, managing a world-famous client list.

Ian’s career began in programming, which led to him being appointed as CTO for one of the world’s largest web localisation companies. Here he helped companies such as British Airways, IBM and HSBC tap into new overseas markets online. During his time as CTO Ian witnessed many large organisations trying to build search marketing campaigns in multiple languages – either by translating keywords or by using a student intern. Ian wanted to fill the gap in the market for a dedicated multilingual search engine marketing service and subsequently created Search Laboratory in 2005.

Session: The power of data science; understanding audiences & maximising search opportunities

Martin Calvert, Marketing Director at Blueclaw

Martin has an 11-year career as an international researcher, speaker and client and agency-side practitioner in the field of online communication and influence. Drawing on his diverse experience, Martin provides a practical, personable and data-driven view of digital marketing and SEO.

Having recently joined Blueclaw as Marketing Director, Martin is responsible for enthusing major brands and challengers alike about the new art of the possible in digital marketing.

Session: Earning media coverage, social shares & engagement for next-gen SEO

Neill Horie, Head of Technical SEO at Home Agency

Neill is Head of Technical SEO at The Home Agency with a passion for making things clearer via organisation. To that end, he’s involved in a projects in the hope that regardless of whether it’s a new website or an old product brochure, it’s clear what’s what.

 

Sarah Petersen, CRO & UX Manager at Greenlight

Sarah has nine years digital marketing experience, mainly agency side, working with leading local and international brands. She has a background in content/product marketing and paid search, as well as dedicating many years to her passion, UX design and conversion rate optimisation (CRO). She’s highly skilled in data analytics, user behaviour analysis and problem-solving.

Aidan Cook, Managing Director at Blueclaw – Official #SLManc16 Chair

Aidan founded Leeds’ original web design business in 1995, growing it into a nationally recognised digital agency serving an enviable portfolio of blue chip clients and winning many accolades (including 2010 DADI Individual of the Year) in the process.

After a period of consultancy with a variety of commercial and media clients (and more awards, including the Grand Prix at the 2013 BIMA for his work with Channel 4), Aidan has returned to agency life. As Managing Director, he leads a talented and growing Blueclaw team to achieve ever more creative and commercial results for clients.

An engaging, energetic and insightful speaker, he will serve as the official Master of Ceremonies at the Search Leaders Masterclass, delivering the welcome address and keeping the round-table sessions on track throughout the day.