Phil Holdsworth

Glad you found me. I've spent my career working in digital, marketing and creative agencies. I also jumped across to the client side a period of time.

Check out my substack

The story so far

I’ve built my career across both agency and in-house marketing roles, which has given me a broad view of how brands grow, how teams work, and how digital and marketing can make a real commercial difference.

I started out at Freestyle Interactive as an Account Manager, where I got my grounding in client service, project delivery and digital thinking. From there, I moved to Effect Digital and became a Senior Account Manager, building more experience across strategy, client leadership and digital campaigns.

After agency life, I moved in house to British Triathlon, first as Marketing Manager and then as Head of Marketing. That gave me the chance to see things from a different side, leading marketing within an organisation and working more closely on brand, audience growth and wider business goals.

I then moved back into agency roles, joining Punch Communications as an Account Director before taking on the role of Head of Digital at Linney. At Linney, I’ve been leading digital work across strategy, user experience, technology and transformation, helping shape better digital products and services for clients.

My next step is joining Hike SEO as Head of Marketing, which feels like a great fit for the mix of digital, marketing and growth experience I’ve built up over the years.

Alongside my main career, I also co-founded Well Nice in 2021, a project studio built around creative ideas, digital thinking and making good things with good people.

Overall, my journey has been a mix of agency, in-house and entrepreneurial experience, and I think that’s what has shaped how I work today. I like bringing together strategy, creativity and practical delivery, without overcomplicating things.

Work History

    • Linney - 2024 - 2026

    • Punch Communications - 2022 - 2024

    • British Triathlon - 2019 - 2022

    • Effect Digital - 2016 - 2019

    • Freestyle Interactive - 2013 - 2016

Brands I've worked with

    • Linney: McDonalds // E.ON // Starbucks // Stonegate // PizzaExpress // TUI // Royal Mail // JustEat

    • Punch: John Lewis // Lloyds Banking Group // TeaPigs // Tetley // Barclays // Tata

    • Effect Digital: The Roundhouse // The Old Vic Theatre // The Savoy // The Curve Theatre // The Phoenix Cinemas

    • Freestyle: Arriva Bus // Calor Gas // Bostik // Nectar // NFU // Alstom

I've started a Substack

It's going to document my journey taking on the marketing role at technology startup.