Judging

Sam is the Group Marketing Director at Jarrolds and the founder of Yawn Marketing. He is a brand strategist with diverse experience leading in-house and agency teams. His work has a particular focus on innovation and creative campaigning.

As somebody who started, scaled and sold a marketing agency in Norfolk, and who now represents one of our county’s most notable brands, Sam has a deep appreciation for Norfolk’s marketing community and is an advocate for creative professionals in the region. He is proud to be one of NWM’s earliest supporters.

With 15 years experience in events and tour management, El joined TMM in 2021 as their Head of Events. El works with 60+ local organisers, in over 30 locations across the globe, helping marketers connect and learn in a positively lovely environment.

As a result, she has been a key part in bringing some of the best marketing minds to the community, through a series of world class speakers delivering keynotes and webinars on all areas of marketing.

El lives with her young family in Devon, where she can indulge her love of cold water to the full by sea swimming year round.

Abi is an experienced marketeer handling projects across industries including education, leisure and tourism, manufacturing, professional services, and the public sector.

Rebecca Lewis-Smith is Director & Co-founder of Fountain Partnership. Her role is focused on growing the business, building the team, and creating the culture that has won us awards as an amazing place to work. She has spearheaded initiatives that made our culture what it is today.

Rebecca was central to our achieving B-Corp status and established the BIMA Bridge Council which brings agencies together to create opportunities and support those arriving in the UK as refugees and asylum seekers. Rebecca has also been listed on the BIMA 100 2023 for her work with people.

Outside of Fountain, she is a writer and a mama.

Rob heads up Marketing at Foolproof, a digital product and marketing studio. Rob cut his teeth working with some excellent marketeers who founded Foolproof and loves thinking about words and exploring new opportunities through thought leadership.

Lucy is a champion of local businesses and a catalyst for rewarding business relationships. Her passion lies in making thoughtful business introductions and creating vibrant spaces for people to encounter new people and ideas.

In 2013, Lucy took over the leadership of Norfolk Network, an award-winning business community that brings together people from diverse sectors, disciplines, and experience to support and learn from each other.

For over two decades, Lucy has fostered a unique relationship with UEA, connecting student and academic communities with businesses. In 2019, she proudly received an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from UEA in recognition of her achievements.

Charly Tims is Production Manager at Zagwear and has been in the industry since 2019. As a proud sponsor of the NWM Awards, Charly is excited to represent Zagwear as a judge.

Ben’s 20 years helping to grow numerous Food & Drink brands, starting with the launch of Virgin Wines’ subscription offering back in the early 00’s, and subsequent growth to over 100,000 early adopters.

As employee #2 at Naked Wines, Ben co-founded Naked Wines, the independent marketplace for winemakers & wine lovers, along with fellow wine entrepreneur Rowan Gormley and 10 other ambitious friends.

Since 2013, he’s worked with the likes of Beer52, Gousto, Charles Tyrwhitt, Hotel Chocolat and Abel & Cole, developing their marketing strategy, creating long-term partnerships with other brands, and creating innovative solutions designed to drive customer acquisition and growth. As well as run a brewery under the railway arches for an action packed year!

With over 20 years in the creative industry, Jemma has lead, the delivery of many brand and creative strategy projects and customer centric, multifaceted integrated campaigns, transforming both large corporates and local business. Working with clients in the UK and Europe, Jemma Leads a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team driving forward the creative agenda in an everchanging AI driven world.

Deeply committed to nurturing agency talent and fostering an inclusive and vibrant workplace, she believes in the transformative power of creativity and the importance of cultivating a culture that encourages risk-taking and innovation.

 As a judge for the women’s network awards, Jemma brings her expertise, a sharp eye for creative excellence, and a profound commitment to celebrating women who are making significant strides in the creative industry and paving the way for talent of the future.

Robert Jones is the founder of Brandland and has 30 years experience as a brand strategist, with the global agency Wolff Olins and as a Norfolk-based independent. At Wolff Olins, he helped over 70 organisations, in the UK and globally, to build their brands – including Aviva, Barclays, Camelot, Historic Royal Palaces, Oxfam, PwC, National Trust, Tate, Tesco, Virgin And Wikipedia.

In 2008 he joined Norwich Business School where he set up the world’s only MSc in Brand Leadership. Over 90% of the MSc graduates go on to get jobs in branding, from Alibaba to Virgin, Google to L’Oréal, Interbrand to FITCH.

Robert is Professor of Brand Leadership at the University of East Anglia, and author of The Big Idea and Branding: A Very Short Introduction.

Dan, Marketing and Sales Recruitment Manager at Kameo Recruitment, returns as a judge for the second year. Dan has extensive experience in recruitment across East Anglia and London, Dan’s expertise in the marketing field and his commercial acumen makes him a respected professional.
Passionate and success-driven Dan is excited to award this year’s Leader Award and looks forward to celebrating the achievements of people in marketing who inspire others and promote excellence in their industry.

Candy is the Development Manager for East Anglia at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), representing the region’s small and medium sized businesses and sole traders. Established in 1974, FSB is the UK’s largest member-led business group and provides a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support, and a powerful voice heard in government.

Leading FSB’s activity across East Anglia, Candy works in partnership with businesses, stakeholders, and decision makers, to deliver policy and projects to enable smaller businesses to grow and flourish.