Dine in 519 didn’t just highlight London’s hidden food gems—it flipped the script on local marketing. What began as a passion project for showcasing the city’s best-kept culinary secrets quickly turned into a marketing juggernaut, proving that with the right strategy and leadership, even the smallest restaurants can make a big splash. Through clever social media campaigns, they’ve managed to turn hole-in-the-wall eateries into household names, all while driving foot traffic and creating buzz.
But here’s the kicker: much like the success of Dine in 519’s rise, it’s the visionaries behind social media marketing agencies who hold the real power. The CEOs running these agencies aren’t just riding the wave—they’re the ones creating it. They understand the chaos of the digital world and use it to their advantage, mixing creativity, data, and tech to get results that stick.
This article takes a deep dive into the top CEOs leading the charge in London’s social media marketing scene, showing how they’re not just following trends—they’re shaping the future of digital marketing.
Top CEOs of Social Media Marketing Firms in London
In the fast-evolving world of digital marketing, the right leadership makes all the difference. These CEOs are not just running agencies—they’re redefining how brands connect, engage, and grow through social media. From innovative campaigns to data-driven strategies, meet the top minds shaping the future of social media marketing in London.
1. Ricardo Seixas
With a two-decade career spanning four continents, Ricardo Seixas has helped redefine advertising in an era where traditional marketing playbooks no longer apply. As the Founder & CEO of One Day Agency, Seixas has built an independent powerhouse that seamlessly integrates creative, media, and digital into full-funnel strategies that deliver real impact.
Since launching in 2019, Seixas has propelled One Day Agency to impressive heights, securing multinational campaigns (hello, Jordan Tourism Board), expanding across London, Manchester, and Warsaw, and achieving a £3.5 million turnover in 2022—all while ditching rigid departmental silos in favor of an all-senior, fully integrated team. The result? A Top 50 Integrated Agency recognition in 2023 and a growing reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative marketing forces.
His background speaks for itself—before founding One Day, Seixas held leadership roles at Google, Media Agency Group, and Proscape Technologies, driving digital transformation for brands, start-ups, and global agencies alike. But beyond the numbers and accolades, what sets him apart is his ability to anticipate industry shifts before they happen.
2. Richard Marshall
From the music industry to digital marketing, Richard Marshall’s career has always been about understanding audiences and shaping how they engage with content. Before co-founding Influence Digital in 2009, he spent years at Universal Music Group as a Marketing Director and held senior roles at Warner Music Group, where he helped artists connect with fans in an evolving digital landscape. Today, as Co-CEO of Influence Digital, he applies that same audience-first mindset to brands across music, film, travel, tech, and NGOs.
With a team of 50 experts based in Shoreditch, London, Marshall has built an agency that seamlessly integrates storytelling with social media and digital strategy. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Marshall brings a mix of Northern resilience and global marketing experience to London’s creative hub. His background in law, combined with time at top advertising firms like Saatchi & Saatchi, gives him a unique perspective on marketing, blending legal expertise with deep industry knowledge.
Beyond leading high-impact campaigns, he’s an active voice in digital marketing, frequently sharing insights on emerging trends and helping brands adapt to the rapidly evolving social landscape.
3. Elizabeth Byrne
Elizabeth Byrne’s journey in digital marketing started long before social media became the powerhouse it is today. As the CEO and Founder of Truffle Social, she launched her agency in 2010 with a vision of blending creativity, strategy, and cutting-edge digital trends. Over a decade later, Truffle Social has grown into a globally recognized, award-winning agency with offices in London and New York, working with some of the world’s biggest brands.
With a motto of “Always in Beta,” Byrne has built a team of strategists, designers, and digital storytellers who thrive on innovation. Truffle Social goes beyond standard agency services, offering social media management, influencer marketing, paid social, and live event coverage. Her client roster speaks for itself—Spotify, Rolls Royce, Hermès, Marriott, H&M, Swarovski, and Superdrug have all trusted Truffle Social to amplify their digital presence.
Byrne’s leadership is centered on creativity, experimentation, and team empowerment, fostering a culture where curiosity drives success. She doesn’t just build campaigns—she mentors emerging talent, champions female entrepreneurs, and shares insights on leadership and social media trends.
4. Lewis Banks
Lews Banks founded Byter Digital to transform digital marketing into a channel of unparalleled visibility. By integrating various services, including brand development, social media management, SEO, paid advertising, and web design. Lewis ensures every campaign is tailored to a business’s unique goals, whether in the B2B or B2C space.
Byter Digital thrives on innovation and data-driven solutions, helping brands carve out their space in an increasingly crowded digital world. But Banks’ expertise doesn’t stop at marketing—he’s also the Director of Red Cardinal Property Investment UK, applying his branding and digital strategies to the real estate sector. This ability to merge marketing with business development gives him a unique edge, allowing him to craft strategies that deliver measurable growth.
Beyond running agencies, Banks stays at the forefront of digital trends, always exploring new technologies and marketing approaches. His social media presence (@lewiebanks on Instagram) offers insights into his ventures, from Byter Digital’s latest campaigns to Red Cardinal’s expansion.
With a career rooted in adaptability, strategic thinking, and results-driven marketing, Lewis Banks continues to push boundaries—helping brands turn ambitious ideas into revenue-driving digital strategies.
5. Jack Barker and Robbie MacVicar
When Jack Barker and Robbie MacVicar co-founded Sushi in 2013, they set out to create more than just another digital marketing agency—they built a creative powerhouse that blends strategy, storytelling, and design to make brands stand out.
Based in London, Sushi Social Media has earned a reputation for bold, innovative campaigns across social media, website development, and digital marketing. From Terry’s Chocolate Orange and Jollibee to Flying Goose Sriracha and Swarovski, their client roster spans global giants and rising disruptors, proving their ability to adapt and deliver across industries.
Jack and Robbie don’t just keep up with digital trends—they anticipate them. Their agency’s success comes from an expert approach to creative content, ensuring brands don’t just exist online but thrive in an increasingly competitive space.
What sets them apart? Their passion for creativity, hands-on leadership, and relentless pursuit of innovation. Having previously founded OvernightSite, an award-winning website design firm, they seamlessly merged their expertise in branding, UX, and digital storytelling to create an agency that delivers exceptional results with a fresh, dynamic approach.
With nearly a decade of experience leading one of London’s most exciting digital agencies, Jack and Robbie have transformed Sushi into a go-to agency for brands looking to make a lasting impact. Their mantra? Outstanding creative, every time.
6. Dan Neale
Before Dan Neale co-founded Alfred, he wasn’t just working in digital marketing—he was figuring out what made audiences genuinely care. His early career wasn’t about chasing clicks or vanity metrics; it was about crafting campaigns that earned attention, not demanded it. That philosophy led him to build Alfred, a London-based agency designed to help brands create cultural relevance, not just content.
By the time he launched Alfred at 30, Neale had already established himself as a force in the industry. Leading Things with Wings, the digital and social division of Unlimited Group, he refined his ability to blend storytelling with strategy—an approach that now defines Alfred’s success. Today, his agency is known for creating campaigns that move beyond advertising and into cultural conversations.
Neale doesn’t believe in marketing for marketing’s sake. Whether he’s working with global powerhouses or startups, his focus is on building brand narratives that drive real-world impact. He regularly shares insights on brand engagement, audience psychology, and the future of digital storytelling, offering a clear-eyed perspective in an industry often distracted by short-term wins.
7. Tom Welbourne
Tom Welbourne is a driving force behind The Good Marketer, a London-based digital marketing agency that’s making waves by empowering small and medium-sized businesses. Since founding the agency in 2017, Tom has been committed to providing transparent, flexible, and value-driven marketing solutions that align with each client's unique goals.
Under Tom's leadership, The Good Marketer offers a wide array of services, including social media advertising, SEO, pay-per-click ads, content marketing, email marketing, and website development. By tailoring strategies to individual business needs, Tom ensures that each campaign is focused on delivering measurable results.
And those results speak for themselves. With achievements like a 216% increase in direct purchases for Relco London and generating over £4.6 million in revenue for Easilocks, Tom’s agency has proven that even smaller businesses can achieve big wins in the digital space.
Tom's approach is rooted in becoming an extension of his clients’ teams, fostering long-term relationships that enable a deeper understanding of their markets and objectives. His philosophy centers on being more than just a service provider—he aims to be a partner in his clients' growth.
In interviews, Tom has shared valuable insights into the digital marketing industry, emphasizing the importance of agility and transparency in building client trust. His hands-on experience, combined with a genuine passion for helping businesses thrive, makes him a standout leader in London’s competitive marketing landscape.
8. Keith Foggan
Success in social media isn’t just about visibility—it’s about impact. Keith Foggan understands this better than most. As the Founder of System, a creative social agency based in London, he has built a team that specializes in helping challenger brands punch above their weight with smart, culturally driven marketing strategies.
At System, bold ideas take center stage. The agency blends organic content, influencer partnerships, and data-backed paid campaigns to generate real commercial growth. Brands like Radisson Hotels and Secretos del Agua have turned to Foggan’s team to break into the UK market with innovative, engagement-focused strategies.
But Foggan’s vision extends beyond just campaigns—he’s a thought leader in digital marketing, frequently exploring topics like surrealist marketing and the evolution of influencer collaborations. His philosophy? Creativity works best when it’s paired with a deep understanding of culture, audience psychology, and commercial impact.
Beyond marketing, Foggan is also reshaping work culture, advocating for hybrid and remote models that make careers in social media more flexible and sustainable. This leadership approach has helped System become more than just an agency—it’s a collective of strategists, creators, and innovators who push the boundaries of digital marketing.
Shaping the Future: How London’s Top Social Media Marketing CEOs Are Defining Digital Success
In an industry that moves at lightning speed, the CEOs of London’s top social media marketing firms are proving that innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking are the keys to success. From Richard Marshall’s entertainment-driven storytelling to Elizabeth Byrne’s bold approach at Truffle Social, these leaders are not just keeping up with trends—they’re setting them.
Whether it’s Lewis Banks’ data-driven strategies, Jack Barker and Robbie MacVicar’s creative disruption, or Keith Foggan’s cultural insights, these CEOs are redefining what it means to lead in digital marketing. As brands seek to stand out, these visionaries are paving the way forward.
