Our Team
Eddie Bent, Managing Director
Eddie founded e-Strategy in 2001, with a passionate belief that the internet could offer companies vast sales and marketing opportunities. His research identified a clear market opportunity as there were very few agencies in the South West able to offer local companies strategic e-business advice.
Today, e-Strategy is recognised as the leading search marketing agency in the South West and has worked with over 350 clients, both in the U.K and internationally, to improve their online brand visibility and turnover.
Eddie first became interested in emerging web opportunities in the late 1990’s whilst working within the retail sector. He completed several marketing and computing courses at both Plymouth University and South Devon College which fuelled his belief that the web could offer significant sales opportunities.
Once his studies were complete, Eddie joined Eclipse Internet as Channel Sales Manager; where he was responsible for the pre-launch marketing and promotion of the Dynamic Partnership Programme, which now boasts over 270 channel partners, including prestigious clients such as Peter Werth, Wrigley’s, Jag Communications and several Local Authorities.
Eddie has specialist knowledge in two sectors: travel and tourism and retail. Having grown up in a holiday complex in Torquay owned by his parents, Eddie has a clear understanding of the issues faced by the travel and tourism sector. During the early part of his career Eddie gained firsthand experience of the retail sector when he worked for both Sports Locker and Allsports.
When Eddie is away from his computer and the World Wide Web he enjoys spending time with his family and occasionally doesn’t open his laptop for a whole weekend!
Claire Marshall, Client Services Manager
Claire has over 5 years of experience in client services in the Search industry. Claire joined the industry working at Netrank, another Search agency with South West roots based in Exeter & London. During her time at Netrank Claire was Account Director for blue chip companies including Dyson, Citroen, Bet365, Royal Bank of Scotland Group including brands such as Mint & Coutts, and public sector organisation the South West RDA.
Before Netrank Claire worked for many years in customer service roles and in retail; this included Marks & Spencer and retail management for Hamells, which was part of the C&A group.
When Claire is not striving for even higher service standards and out winning more business, she likes to unwind with a large glass of wine/beer or a trip to the gym.
Claire is still trying to perfect how to combine the two!
Mark Moon, Account Manager
After attending the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich and achieving a degree in Computer Science (hons), Mark applied his knowledge of search engine optimisation, web development and business information systems by developing websites for local businesses within Devon. Since joining e-Strategy in 2007 Mark has further developed his knowledge of SEO, been key in helping to expand the website development within the company, and is now responsible for the ongoing SEO management of his client base and the project management and delivery of numerous web development projects.
When Mark is not working on the latest in search engine optimisation techniques, our very own iPhone and gadget lover likes nothing more visiting the local gym....’s cafe for a bacon sandwich and a nice sit down!
Sandy Lee, Account Manager
Sandy joined e-Strategy in 2008 as an Account Manager responsible for the ongoing SEO management of his client base.
Sandy achieved a degree in Physics at the University of Kent before completing a post graduate degree in Japanese Studies through the University of Sheffield campus in Hiroshima. He then put this to good use and spent the previous seven years working in education in Japan and travelling around North East Asia.
Sandy’s long term goal is to be a web developer combining his ever growing knowledge and experience of SEO techniques and best practice with a knowledge of current web technologies to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to e-Strategy client’s website’s development.
Sandy enjoys the social web, snowboarding, raving at festivals in wellies in the mud, trips to the gym and long distance running.
Phillip Giles, Account Executive
Phil is the newest member of the e-Strategy team, and assists the Account Managers with off-site SEO activity and research for our clients.
Before working for e-Strategy Phil spent the last two years busy studying at college achieving a City and Guilds level 2 in website design; and gaining as much knowledge as he can about the SEO industry.
When Phil is not fixed to a computer screen busy gaining our clients great search engine positions or creating the next best website on the internet, he likes to venture outside for surfing and wakeboarding.
Kyle Waters, Developer
Kyle’s career started in software engineering; having started programming at the age of 13, Kyle got his first Job working for a software engineering company in 2004. He quickly developed a keen interest in web engineering and taught himself XHML, PHP, CSS and a number of other web technologies, while building websites to earn some pennies on the side.
Kyle is now responsible for web development activities at e-Strategy and with a large number of sites as well as in-house systems to build and maintain he is always kept busy!
When not writing is some unfathomable language Kyle spends his time playing music and gigging with his band Dolcet Tones or hitting racquet balls at Mark really hard!
Joe Newman, Designer
With a BA Hons degree in Corporate Communications, Joe initially began his career as an advertisement designer for Devon Life magazine. Since then, Joe has gained over 10 years experience designing and building websites, intranets, e-learning solutions and e-commerce stores for hundreds of clients that have included Dell, adidas, Pro Direct Soccer, Ssangyong Cars & PC World. Before joining e-Strategy, Joe had worked for local design agencies Saltstone Media and Gamalan plus one of Ireland's leading web development companies, Continuum Technologies, and had built and operated his own e-commerce business.
Joe is a keen follower of emerging web standards and actively promotes clean, accessible, sales driven design.
Outside of work, Joe enjoys travelling, training at the gym and the occasional spot of running (weather permitting!).
