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.
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Latest blog posts
The Fractional CMO’s Real Job in 2026: Being the Strategic Brain in an AI-Powered Team
We’re all working in organisations that are using AI to produce more content in less time. But what most of them don’t have is someone making sure any of it.. Read more
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
Marketing experience
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