A Fractional CMO & Marketing Director based in Manchester, UK.
I'm Steven Oakes, a Manchester-based Fractional CMO offering senior marketing leadership for ambitious businesses that have outgrown ad hoc marketing but aren't ready for a full-time hire.
I work best with businesses turning over £5m - £15m who need an experienced marketing leader to set strategy, develop their marketing team, and drive business growth, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive.
If your marketing feels busy but not effective, that's usually where I come in.
Quick links
Latest blog posts
If You’re Planning to Sell Your Business, Your Marketing Needs to Be Exit-Ready. Most Isn’t.
Most founders think about exit-readiness in terms of financials, legal structure, and a clean cap table. Marketing is an afterthought, something to tidy up once a buyer expresses interest, if.. Read more
What Your Board Report Is Actually Telling You (And What It Should)
There’s a version of a marketing board report that’s everywhere, and it’s almost useless. It looks something like this: LinkedIn followers (up 3% from last month). Email open rate (down.. Read more
Signs You Need a Fractional CMO (and what usually happens if you don’t)
Most founders don’t go looking for a fractional CMO. Usually, it starts with a vague unease. Marketing is happening, the agency sends updates, the team is busy, LinkedIn posts go.. Read more
How to hire a fractional CMO in the UK
(What to look for, what it costs, and the common traps) I like to think that hiring a fractional CMO is like hiring a builder. Lots of people can do.. Read more
Marketing experience
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