Ned Wells
- Specialism: Marketing strategy, planning and leadership for purpose-led organisations.
- Track Record: Exited marketing agency founder. My clients have included global, national and regional charities, high-profile membership organisations and social enterprises. Commercial organisations across multiple sectors, from start-ups to global businesses.
- Offer: Fractional marketing leader, advisory, NED. Marketing strategy, process improvement and partnerships for organisations that balance purpose with profit.
- Ned says: “I help organisations that balance purpose with profit, to thrive and scale through better marketing.”
- Try me
A few years ago, I was inspired to become a Portfolio Executive after successfully exiting my marketing business. I felt strongly drawn to working with organisations that balance social and environmental purpose with profit.
As I began this journey, I sought out organisations aligned with my personal interests. One pivotal moment came when I attended a conference on river restoration. I had no specific expectations but decided to trust my instincts. After the event, the organiser shared the slides, and I noticed they worked for a charity called Groundwork. Intrigued, I visited their website and was immediately captivated—how had I not come across them before? Groundwork operates at the intersection of environmental sustainability and supporting disadvantaged communities, which felt like a perfect match.
Determined to learn more, I researched their CEO, guessed his email address, and reached out for a meeting. To my surprise, he agreed and introduced me to his head of marketing, who offered me some initial small projects. Those early collaborations grew into larger opportunities, including significant social enterprise marketing strategy work.
Over the next few years, I worked with several clients in the social and environmental impact space, providing expertise in technical, digital, and strategic marketing. This path afforded me a good work-life balance while enabling me to provide pro-bono support for grassroots and campaigning charities.
Throughout this journey, I have increasingly operated at boardroom level, crafting strategies and using my in-depth technical knowledge to guide and mentor delivery teams.
Looking ahead, I am excited to develop lasting, strategic relationships with a select group of organisations, helping them to steadily scale products or services that positively impact people’s lives and our natural environment.