About Us
Savvy's management team is made up of experienced industry-proven 'applied practitioners' (as opposed to being just 'academics in the field'), bringing to the table over 60 years commercial marketing experience.
As well as their combined general marketing knowledge and experience gained working in a wide range of market sectors and senior management roles both client side and with leading agencies, they each have expertise in a number of specialist marketing disciplines, providing in turn a level of marketing savvy and a track record of success rarely found under on roof.
David Adams, Director and Head of Marcomms
David has over 15 years strategic marketing experience gained working in director and senior management roles both client side and with leading NW marketing, digital and PR agencies.
Specialising in marketing communications, and branding, David's experience and industry-proven reputation is based on a broad frame of reference in both B2B and consumer marketing, with former and existing clients including, Urban Splash, Legwork, G-MEX/MICC, L'enclume, Rogan & Company, Philips Medical Systems, Ark, Jobwise and McKenzie Knight.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), David is also:
- An appointed board member of Manchester Digital, the trade association for the regions digital sector
- An approved consultant with Manchester City Council's Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA)
- An approved consultant on Business Link's National Consultant's Register
- A director of 3D Savvy Ltd, a soon to be launched 3D Web Agency specialising in virtual built environments
- Head of Marketing for a number of non-competing Manchester creative and digital agencies, including:
- Fudge
- T3D
- Violet Mount
- PushON
- Virtuaffinity
Away from the office, as well as his love for surfing and travel, David is a keen ridge walker and can be found in all weathers climbing random mountains throughout England, Wales and Scotland. When not up mountains or falling off his surf board, he is a passionate F1 fan and a member of the Goodwood Road Racing Club.
Current reading: 'The Open Brand' by Kelly Mooney
Dr. Barry Bassnett, Director and Head of New Product Development & Innovation
A chartered marketer and former consultant with Arthur Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), Barry has over 25 years experience in New Product Development & Innovation and Internal Comms.
The author of shortly to be published books 'The Secret Genius' and 'Defrag Your Organisation', Barry has provided management consultancy and coaching to organisations in Asia, Scandanavia, North America and the UK. With over 125 NPD projects completed, his diverse industry experience is extensive, with former clients including AstraZeneca, Volvo, Boeing, Smiths, Ford Motor Co., BAE Systems and the BBC - as well as dozens of SME's and sole-trader businesses.
Voted Bangalore Times "Best Business Coach in India 2005" as well as "Best Presentation" at the International Innovation Management Conference Dubai, and winner of two BAE Systems "Chairman's Awards for Innovation", Barry brings to Savvy significant international client and project experience across a range of business critical areas of marketing.
Along with David, Barry is also a director of 3D Savvy Ltd, a soon to be launched 3D Web Consultancy specialising in virtual built environments.
Outside of work, Barry is a keen traveller and sailor, pursuits only matched by his love of reading, cooking, fine wines, live music and his two darling children.
Current reading:
Helen Freeborough, Director and Head of Property Marketing
A chartered marketer and member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) with over 16 years Sales & Marketing experience, Helen has built her knowledge and experience through working for some of the world's largest financial and professional services organisations, including Legal & General, Deloitte, Lehman Brothers, RBS and BUPA.
She spent the first 10 years of her career working in the City, helping to develop and grow a number of global financial brands; specialising in Marcomms, corporate advertising, brand development and event management.
Now based in Manchester, Helen spent 3 years up to 2005 working as Sales & Marketing Director for a leading private property developer specialising in urban regeneration.
Prior to joining The Savvy Partnership she also worked freelance for a wide range of clients in the UK and abroad including United Utilities, West Properties, Fuse 8, Impact Media and Crush Communications.
With excellent project management skills, and a strong track record of delivery, Helen's main focus at Savvy is heading up the delivery of our property marketing services as well as working with David in the tactical delivery of strategic Marcomms projects.
Outside of work Helen is a keen advocate of the arts and is actively engaged in the North West arts scene both as a supporter and fund-raiser. Most recently she was invited to be a guest contributor to a leading NW publication and now writes regularly about the classical music scene and contemporary theatre in the North West.
Current reading: 'The Jelly Effect' by Andy Bounds
Simon Wharton, Head of Online Marketing
A long standing council member of Manchester Digital and an experienced and much respected consultant, commentator and presenter in the subjects of online marketing and e-pr, Simon became an online marketer through necessity, having launched and developed a number of his own brands at a time when there was little expertise available on the subject within the marketplace.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), a director of Virtuaffinity, a 'standards' based web development agency, and PushON, one of the region's leading Internet marketing agencies, Simon is a passionate futurologist as well as a popular character within Manchester's ICT and digital community.
When not at work Simon is a committed family man, an evangelist of the purity of Nottingham Forest , a man likely to play music you will hate as well as an avid consumer of terrible literature and graphic novels. He also dislikes having his photograph taken!
Current reading: 'The Long Tail' by Chris Anderson and 'Meatball Sundae' by Seth Godin
Our philosophy
With the support and encouragement of clients and peers alike, the decision by David to establish The Savvy Partnership in January 2003 was based around the fact that there are unfortunately a large number of businesses who simply don't have the luxury of a broadly experienced in-house marketing department, but who would benefit enormously from having access to such a resource on an outsourced basis.
Backed by industry-proven 'best of breed' strategic partners from the cream of the North of England's creative and digital industry, Savvy offers a complete end-to-end marketing service covering the strategy, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of a wide range of marketing services - from brand perception and positioning audits, through to planning, delivery, implementation and management of internal comms strategies.
With all clients, Savvy believes that successful business relationships are based on honesty, integrity and a willingness to go the extra mile - a work ethic shared amongst everyone at The Savvy Partnership as well as our suppliers and strategic partners.
Case studies and examples of work
Please note that due to
the often highly-confidential and sensitive nature of our work, other than for projects such as re-brands, websites and advertising campaigns which are in the public domain, The Savvy Partnership is not able to promote or publicise examples of its work using case studies etc. Internal communications strategies, Marcomms plans and similar projects are by default covered by NDA's which are strictly enforced and adhered to.
Company status
Please note that on the 20 March 2008 our company status changed to that of a Ltd company - The Savvy Consultancy Ltd, T/A The Savvy Partnership.
Professional Indemnity
Each consultant is covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance to the value of £250,000. More information can be provided on request.
To discuss any of our services in more detail or to arrange a free no obligation face-to-face discussion, please contact David on 0330 100 0313, or via our email enquiry form.
