Wayne Brown

Chief Executive Officer

With more than 25 years spent working in marketing agencies – specialising in advertising, media and technology – Wayne has previously run leading digital agencies for Dentsu Aegis and WPP. He has extensive experience of developing marketing strategy and communications on a wide range of blue chip global clients including Diageo, P&G, HSBC, Toyota, Apple and Google, but has specialised in cycling for the last four years. He initially rekindled his interest in bikes by riding indoors on Zwift and is now a keen road cyclist who is also slowly developing a gravel habit.

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Matt Doman

Executive Creative Director

Matt is an award-winning Creative Lead, who shares with SHIFT his wealth of creative agency experience, including work for Audi, Barclays, Guinness, Skoda, The Economist and Vodafone. Cycling has never not been a part of Matt’s life, be that racing BMX as a kid, riding across the Alps with The Fireflies Tour, or the Manchester to London challenge with Rapha.

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Rachael Burnside

Business and Marketing Director

With more than a decade’s experience leading multi-channel campaigns at advertising agencies across sport, automotive and the public sector, Rachael brings her specialism in digital marketing with expertise in e-commerce to benefit SHIFT’s clients. Following many a childhood summer chasing the Tour around France, Rachael has since become an avid road cyclist and Zwift time trialist.

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Simon Wear

SHIFT Founder and Chairman

A specialist digital media executive with unrivalled experience deeply rooted in the cycling industry, Simon is also a life-long rider – chiefly road – and cycle-sports enthusiast. Simon founded SHIFT Active Media in 2010, forging the agency’s character as well as its business model, and is CEO of Play Sports Group, home to GCN and other leading cycling channels. In previous roles as COO and Director of International Media for special-interest media group Future PLC, Simon took leadership positions in the creation or revitalisation of market-leading websites such as Cyclingnews.com, BikeRadar.com and TechRadar.com.

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Doug Baker

Chief Strategy Officer

Doug has worked at some of the world's best digital agencies, most recently Analog Folk – Campaign’s Global Innovation Agency of the Year. He has led teams spanning Brand, Comms Planning, Research, Data, UX, Social and AI; and has developed strategies for major global brands including Nike, HSBC and PlayStation. All while being an avid road cyclist.

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Phil Smith

Chief Finance Officer

CFO of SHIFT and the Play Sports Group since 2013, Phil leads the financial, funding and legal aspects of the Group's development. Once an avid runner and road cyclist, PBs are beyond reach these days and he's more likely to go for a short ride involving a pub stop.

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Tom King

Head of Media

With a decade of agency-side experience delivering proven, performance-driving media strategies across a wide range of sectors covering both brand building and eCommerce, Tom is a digital expert with a deep skillset in search, social and digital media, as well as traditional media. Tom’s a road cyclist who loves to explore the Somerset hills and once summited the mighty Mont Ventoux.

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Charlotte Sampson

Senior PR Manager

In 6 years at SHIFT, Charlotte has led highly successful PR campaigns for a host of brands and events across cycling, combining industry knowledge and love of the sport. Prior to joining SHIFT, she has significant experience in cycling PR and marketing, including Garmin and Muc-Off, along with Festina, SweetSpot, Wattbike and CEP Compression. Charlotte loves being outdoors – on skis, on her road bike, her cross bike or chasing after her 2 children.

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Dario Esposito

Business Director

With responsibility for all Italian clients, Dario’s expertise and experience combines marketing, communication and project management skills – and he’s the go-to person for road racing. Alongside oversight for a wide range of SHIFT’s client work – from media to creative and beyond – Rome-based Dario heads up our team providing press office services in multiple languages to UCI WorldTour races, including the Giro d'Italia, Italian Classics and the UAE Tour.

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Tom Foy

Head of PR

A brand communications specialist with nearly 20 years' experience running global campaigns for leading sports, automotive and entertainment brands, Tom brings a wealth of PR expertise to the SHIFT team. He has held key positions at leading global agencies including Weber Shandwick, Edelman and WPP, working with brands including Red Bull F1, Aston Martin and Microsoft. A long-time avid cyclist, Tom has previously raced bikes on and off-road, and enjoys regular club rides and sportives.

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Alex Faux

Media Planning Director

Alex has 9 years’ experience working in digital acquisition with a skill set encompassing performance paid media channels, SEO and CRO. He has been pivotal in the success of some of the industry’s largest media campaigns of the past decade, and drives significant performance for many of SHIFT’s clients. When not in the office, Alex can be found riding on the road or racing a local crit.

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Tim Durant

Head of Design

With more than 20 years’ experience in the field, Tim heads up SHIFT’s design team, working with cycling brands and businesses around the globe, delivering market-leading branding, design and creative solutions for clients including Santini, Wattbike, Öhlins, British Cycling, Continental, Zwift and SHIFT’s sister channels including GCN – and, being a keen mountain biker of course, GMBN, the Global Mountain Biking Network.

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James Dando

Business Director

James has a unique media, agency and tri-sports experience spanning more than 15 years – which includes production roles within the BBC and C4, management roles with international publishers and leading award-winning media campaigns, sponsorships and global activations for major brands and products. And as a five-time Ironman he knows the passion of competition and the value of putting in the hard miles.

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Emily Bates

Senior Research Manager

Certified with the Market Research Society, Emily has a wealth of experience in designing, running and analysing research projects, with SHIFT and previously at the Customer Relationship Consultancy. As Research Manager at SHIFT, Emily is able to combine her talent for data and research with her passion for all things cycling; she’s a keen CX rider and strong supporter of the Women’s WorldTour.

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Simon Brace

Business Director

Having started out at the UK's largest and most awarded ad agency, AMV.BBDO, Simon cut his teeth on major brands such as BT, Mars and Gillette. Moving to Bristol, he widened his expertise to Digital and CRM, developing campaigns for PepsiCo and Danone before joining SHIFT, following his sporting passions: cycling and running. A GBR-age grouper, Simon placed 5th in the 2019 Long Distance Duathlon World Champs.

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Emily Millar

Account Manager

Supporting and leading projects with enthusiasm, ideas and insight, Emily combines her marketing skills with her passion for cycling. Her previous role as Community Manager for cycling channel GCN gave her the perfect opportunity to gather deep insight into cycling consumers and their behaviours, which she uses to benefit SHIFT’s clients. A keen road cyclist, Emily takes any opportunity she can to ride her bike in the mountains.

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Daniel Blanchard

Media Manager

Dan helps plan campaigns across print and digital endemic media, for a range of SHIFT’s clients. A roadie and mountain biker, with a degree in Law and a year’s experience in a bespoke branded content agency, he brings a unique industry perspective to the Media Planning & Buying team. Hailing from the Surrey Hills, Peaslake and Boxhill are amongst his cycling locations of choice!

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Tom Bowes

Producer

Tom's achievements in Film and TV production are diverse: from coordinating post-production on over 60 short films for Channel 4's Random Acts, to creating tour visuals for Metallica. Since training with the BBC, he now focuses on producing, working with major cycling brands such as Continental, YT and Zwift. A cycling commuter with bikepacking ambitions, Tom’s biking highlight is descending Khardung La - one of the world's highest mountain passes.

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Philip Deacon

Senior Creative

Philip is an award-winning advertising creative. He's worked on brands such as DFT, Project Literacy, Nintendo and Samsung. He rode MTBs before suspension was invented, is the UK's 74th best cyclocross racer (40-49) and has an embarrassingly-full bike shed.

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Lizzie Dunthorne

PR Manager

Lizzie came to SHIFT from the world of communications and public affairs for international environmental, clean energy, and tech firms, bringing with her significant experience in developing and running thought leadership campaigns. Outside of work, she's an avid cyclist and can either be found making questionable filter coffee on a long-distance bikepacking ride or plotting a multiple-cafe stop club run.

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James Dalziel

Account Director

James is a marketing & communications professional with more than 15 years of global experience, specialising within active lifestyle brands. Holding positions at Honda, Monster Energy, O'Neill & Tourism Australia, his predominant expertise lies in brand and integrated marketing communications. Alongside a passion for all things on 2 wheels, he has a love of surfing in tropical waters and snowboarding in deep powder.

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Tom Pinnegar

Account Director

After starting his career at Havas Media 8 years ago, Tom has developed as an account manager specialising in digital planning and buying both in the UK and in Australia. Having worked closely with brands such as Subway, Volvo and New Balance, Tom combines considerable experience with a passion for sports marketing that's fueled by a love for both triathlon and hockey.

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Ian Young

Senior Media Manager

With almost two decades' worth of experience in planning ecommerce and brand campaigns, as well as analysing and optimising digital customer journeys, Ian has a detailed understanding of how consumers interact with brands across both digital and traditional media channels. Ian has ridden Land's End to John O'Groats and taken on the Fred Whitton Challenge, but can be more often found riding the hills and lanes around Bath.

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Hannah Howitt

Account Manager

Hannah started her career at an investment firm, supporting SMEs and start-ups with developing and executing their marketing strategies. This, coupled with client-side experience equips her with a deep skillset, underpinned by knowledge from the world of performance sport. A former elite triathlete, Hannah has since shifted to cycling, and can be found exploring the countryside in her spare time.

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Taylor Rowland

Designer

Taylor is a creative designer and visual craftsman with a passion for all things cycling. Having worked across industries spanning tech, hospitality, finance, charity, music and sport, he is now thrilled to be able to apply his design skills to his favourite pastime. Taylor’s a roadie and fixie lover, and when he's not at his desk you’ll find him out in nature; either on foot or on two wheels."

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Jon Denham

PR Executive

Jon joins SHIFT as PR Executive, working to support the PR team and wider agency. Prior to joining the team, he earned his credentials developing and curating successful events, workshops and exhibitions to promote international brands and creatives. An avid cyclist, Jon has a degree in photojournalism, having photographed cycling products and races including the Tour of Britain and the London to Surrey Classic.

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Lucy Rickett

Account Manager

Lucy is an experienced agency account manager who has spent more than half a decade working in creative agencies to develop integrated creative campaigns for clients including; British Airways, Tesco, Movember, England Cricket, the FA and London Pulse. Most recently, she returned from Paris where she worked across the global Garnier account. Away from work, Lucy is an ex-netballer who discovered a love for two wheels after getting into triathlons.

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Alex Van Dijk

Media Manager

Alex has worked in digital for approaching a decade across web content and media planning and buying. He has experience working with a number of blue chip clients spanning the Finance, Media, and Consumer Electronics industries such as RBS, ESPN, Virgin Money and Bosch. Alex is a keen mountain biker, riding regularly at Cannock Chase and gets out to Snowdonia as often as he can.

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Jacob Stuckes

Account Manager

Jacob is an experienced marketer with a variety of both client and agency-side roles under his belt. Previous roles include Digital Marketing Manager for Evans Cycles and, most recently, Senior Paid Media Manager for an innovative, fast-growing social media agency. A keen cyclist, Jacob is a mountain biker who’s recently taken up road cycling.

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Nick Howes

Senior PR Manager

Nick launched his career in cycling at Team Sky as press officer. He has also held communications manager roles for the 2019 World Championships and Tour de Yorkshire, and has worked at M&C Saatchi, Velon and Rouleur. Based in the Yorkshire Dales, Nick is an avid roadie.

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Eve Horton

Media Executive

Eve has years of experience in digital marketing, having started her career working for high end fashion brands in London, including Vivienne Westwood and Agent Provocateur. Eve's often described by colleague as 'the organised one', and is a natural problem-solver who thrives by taking on new challenges. She is a self-confessed "fair weather cyclist" but if that means a two week cycle tour in the south of France, who would blame her?

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Matt Martin

Research Director

Matt has nearly 15 years experience in consumer research and insights, most recently with Hall & Partners (Omnicom), working on global projects for clients including UEFA, Zurich Insurance and British Airways. Matt’s expertise spans a range of areas including brand positioning, brand tracking, concept and creative development. A keen leisure cyclist, he enjoys exploring his home city of Cardiff by bike.

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Sam Bradshaw

Media Planning Director

Sam has nearly 10 years experience working in media planning and content partnerships for clients in a range of industries, including Volvo, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon. Outside of work he loves the adventure that cycling brings, but is just as happy enjoying the outdoors whether that's bike packing, surfing or hiking with his family.

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Thomas Earle

Marketing Performance Analyst

Thomas is a neurodiverse, creative thinking analyst with over a decade of experience in marketing, data analysis, and strategy development. Before joining the team at SHIFT he worked in-house for brands including Marathonbet and Hastings Direct Insurance. On the bike, you will find Thomas exploring the lost lanes of Wiltshire or testing himself across various Zwift training programs.

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Imogen Donaldson

Social Media Executive

Imogen is a recent History of Art graduate and first gained experience in social media through her work at a charity. In her role at SHIFT she explores the diverse range of online behaviours and uses this to inform content planning across social media. Imogen is a keen road cyclist and squash-player but also loves the arts and likes to keep creative in her free time.

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Ben Quarterley

Media Executive

Ben has experience across paid media both client side and agency, and is bringing his passion for everything digital marketing to SHIFT's dynamic and engaging campaigns. Outside of work, Ben loves everything fitness and, after losing 5 stone in 2018, he achieved a personal goal of qualifying as a personal trainer.

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Henry Honeywood

Production Coordinator

Having previously delivered projects for the military and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Henry brings project management based skills to the production department, working to help coordinate SHIFT's creations. Along with a passion for visual productions, he has an interest in anything two-wheeled, with mountain biking and bikepacking being his two biggest obsessions, closely followed by climbing and surfing.

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Joe Evans

Media Executive

Joe joined the SHIFT Media Planning and Buying team as a recent university graduate, but brought with him a wealth of cycling experience having raced professionally for teams such as Madison Genesis and Great Britain Junior Team. He is already putting his knowledge to use and learning more about the cycling media industry.

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David Peece-Philips

Strategy Director

Specialising in digital content, comms and strategy, David has significant experience leading strategy and content teams at some of the UK’s most ambitious agencies. He has developed digital marketing, capability and comms strategies for brands like Porsche, EDF Energy, Adidas, American Express, Universal Pictures and more, and is an avid mountain biker and road cycling fan.

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Isabella Stone

PR Executive

With a background in professional road racing, Izzy has a great understanding of life and work within the cycling industry. Although new to agency life, Izzy has held roles at companies including Williams F1 and cut her teeth in marketing before joining the PR team at SHIFT. Now that she's stepped away from pro-racing Izzy enjoys taking to the Cotswold lanes on two wheels.

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Ben Wallace

Designer

Ben is a multi-disciplined designer who’s worked on everything from apparel design to print and digital campaigns for clients that include Stan’s NoTubes, Goodyear Bicycle Tyres, Alé Cycling, Cipollini Bikes, and DMT Shoes. He is an all-around lover of the outdoors and happy on two wheels of most shapes and sizes - his current terrain of choice is gravel and road.

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Kirstin Bamford

Account Executive

Kirstin joins SHIFT having worked as a Solicitor at a leading Edinburgh law firm. A former international horse rider, Kirstin is now a keen GBR-age group triathlete and loves all things swim-bike-run. Her client-orientated legal background combined with her understanding of performance sport brings a unique perspective to the Account Management team.

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Tom Apjohn-Williams

Account Management Intern

Tom has returned to SHIFT as an intern for the Account Management team following a period learning all things cycling with Media Planning and Buying. Aside from studying at the University of Bath, Tom is an avid mountain biker from South Wales who has also played rugby and basketball at a high-level - training with the Wales basketball team.

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Jack Power

Media Manager

Jack is an experienced paid media specialist, having delivered paid social and search strategies for the likes of INEOS Automotive, Intrepid Travel, Motability Operations, The National Trust and Sports England. Graduating with first-class honours in Marketing and Advertising, Jack has put this to good use while working for a number of digital agencies in Paid Media, Content Management, SEO and Analytics. Having played sports from a young age, Jack took up triathlon training during the pandemic to stay fit. Jack has since developed a love for cycling and is currently preparing to complete his first IRONMAN.

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