Ethical, transparent and respected, the awards are judged by esteemed industry experts who follow a robust two-step judging process that includes pre-scoring to establish a shortlist and judge discussion to determine winners and in some cases silver awards.
None of our award judges can take part in the competition and any conflicts of interest must be declared.
The UK Social Media Awards have been accredited ‘Outstanding’ by the Independent Awards Standards Council – Awards Trust Mark.
To apply to become a judge, fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
Abbi has had a long career in Financial Services which has given her a deep understanding of customer needs, motivations and behaviours. An avid consumer of social media herself, she has lead on a number of social media campaigns for Barclays UK across a range of segments from home-ownership to wealth management and everything in between. Most recently her focus has been on engaging at an ultra-local level with customers and communities across the UK working with agencies, professionals and colleagues to build the value of the Barclays brand.
Adriaan Boot | Owner | Impactful Online Marketing
Adriaan has founded his agency, Impactful Online Marketing, and helps his clients on their paid marketing campaigns on search and social media platforms. He loves spending and earning money for his clients and making the business impact measurable through Google Analytics. In the past few years Adriaan has worked on the Google Ads campaigns of big online brands like YourSurprise.com, Vergelijk.nl, SnappCar, Daikin and Freelance.nl. This helped in being honored by Google with the Google Premier Partner status.
Alicia Thompson | Global Social & Campaigns Manager | Astrid & Miyu
A passion for social media and influencer marketing has always been a key touchpoint of mine. A expertise on strategy. I am a determined, self starter who is able to take on a challenge without hesitation. With excellent organisation, planning and operational skills all jobs are completed to a high standard and I am able to meet and exceed KPI's.
Amy Mantle | Social Media Manager | Slimming World
Amy has worked in social media and PR for more than 12 years and currently manages the in-house social team at the UK’s leading weight loss organisation, Slimming World. She leads the strategic vision for social media content and engagement, brand awareness, and community-building, playing a key role in delivering high-quality content, providing expert training to Slimming World Consultants, and fostering meaningful connections across social platforms. While Amy loves all things social media, her true passion lies in strategy, community engagement and reputation management – ensuring brands not only connect with their audiences but truly inspire them.
Andy Green | Co-founder | AndyGreenCreativity
Andy Green FCIPR FRSA is cofounder of the Dublin Conversations, the Modern Cockney Festival, and wrote 21years ago, the very first book on ‘Creativity in Public Relations’. He is a consultant in identifying purpose, brand storytelling, creativity, and managing Fake Purpose to enable his clients to fulfil their greater potential and make the most of opportunities. He is also a part-time university lecturer. Andy has written six books, translated into eight languages and believing inspiration can come from the unlikeliest of sources, even runs creativity classes on the London Tube.
Archana Dhankar | B2B Marketing Leader & AI Strategist |
With 20+ years of experience in global marketing, I specialize in growth strategies powered by strategic AI implementation. I have helped organizations enhance marketing and sales effectiveness while delivering measurable business outcomes. As a LinkedIn Top Voice (2024) and TEDx speaker, I'm passionate about helping marketing organisations embrace AI while maintaining brand integrity and human creativity at the core of their strategies.
Brendan Keegan | Assistant Professor | Maynooth University
Brendan Keegan is an Assistant Professor in marketing at Maynooth University. Interested in digital placemaking, digital and social media analytics and agency-client relation- ships, his research is published in various journals including European Journal of Marketing, European Management Review, and Management Decision. Brendan is also part of the GOGREENROUTES Horizon 2020 project investigating the role of digital placemaking and its relationship with the psychology of wellbeing through interconnected green corridors in public spaces.
Cara Jackson | Marketing Lead | Bored of Lunch
Cara Jackson is an experienced Social & Content Lead with a proven track record in organic social media, TikTok strategy, and influencer marketing. She currently heads up marketing at Bored of Lunch, one of the UK & Ireland’s most successful food blogs, where she leads on digital strategy, content creation, and community growth. A CIM-qualified marketer, Cara also delivers social media training across Northern Ireland, sharing her expertise with businesses and creators alike. With four years of agency experience, Cara has worked with a wide range of brands across the UK & Ireland, driving impactful digital campaigns. Alongside her professional career, she leveraged her expertise in influencer marketing to create her own successful blog, @nifoodreviews, which has100,000 followers to date.
Carolina Barbosa | Global Social Media Manager | Flo Health
Catherine Jell | Head of Social | Nadine Merabi
I’m currently Head of Social at Manchester-based, luxury fashion brand Nadine Merabi. I joined the team in 2024 after 3 years at SocialChain as Associate Creator Director. I’ve worked in marketing, with a specialism in Social, for almost 10 years now; leading the social strategy & output for brands like KFC UKI, John Lewis & Waitrose, LinkedIn, the British Army, Holland & Barrett, Arla, and more.
Catriona Murray | Independent Agencies Lead | X
Cat Murray looks after Independent Agency relationships at X and has worked with a plethora of global brands such as Google, McDonalds & Pepsico. Over her 10 years at X she has helped her clients manage top performing and award winning work on the platform. More recently she created a charities vertical to help non profit organisations thrive on X.
Charles Awode | Social Media Lead (Sports Direct, FLANNELS, FRASERS Et al) | Frasers Group
International experience deploying omni-channel social media campaigns for globally recognised corporations independently; freelance, agency and client side. Clients/Projects include; NFL, NFLUK, NFL Africa, Nike, Football America, F1, SportsBible, Micheal Essien, Alex Iwobi, Efe Obada, Jacksonville Jaguars, NBA, NFL Academy, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspurs, CFL, BoxPark British Podcast Award Nominee Forward-thinking social + digital creative with a natural flair to think out of the box using facts and figures to achieve results. An unmatched digital media skillset across a range of verticals, always willing to take the time out to educate and support clients in achieving their goals - developing profiles and brands of musicians, athletes, businesses and events globally.
Ullathorne Ullathorne | Head of Guest Marketing | ODEON
Senior Leader with over 20 years experience in Marketing and Branding. Highly ambitious and driven with proven results. Specialities: Brand, Customer Insights, Marketing, Customer Experience, Communication, Multi-Site Management, Strategy, Digital Marketing, Event Management, Digital Transformation & Commercial Acumen.
Chloe Dunn | Head of Social Media | Ticketmaster UK
Award-winning Senior Social Media and Marketing Manager with extensive experience in the music and entertainment industries, specialising in leading social media campaigns that balance brand tone, client needs, and industry best practices. Proven ability to build and manage high-performing teams, driving significant engagement and growth across global brands.
Daniel Saunders | Head of Performance Marketing | Evergreen Finance London Ltd
For nearly two decades, I've thrived in the dynamic world of digital marketing, fuelled by an unwavering passion for data-driven strategies. My expertise lies in leveraging data insights to unlock new business opportunities and propel success. My approach is anchored in a deep understanding of different markets and competitors. This data-centric foundation allows me to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and establish a competitive edge. I actively collaborate with directors and heads of service, translating business goals into actionable plans informed by data-driven insights.
Davina Lines | Managing Director | Mixing Digital
Davina Lines is Managing Director of Mixing Digital and the Ecommerce Club. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a big black book of digital contacts to ensure Mixing Digital’s event management services are of the highest standard. Davina co-founded Netimperative in 1999 and became Managing Director in 2002, stewarding the brand into new product launches and creating one of the most successful events programmes in the digital marketing industry. In the mid 90s Davina cut her digital teeth on New Media Age (now Econsultancy), forming part of the founding team and was responsible for the commercial development of the magazine and its early events from launch in May 1995 to 1999. In recent years Davina launched an ecommerce peer-to-peer community, the Ecommerce Club, which runs regular events in London and Manchester on topics relevant to the retail community.
Ellie Carter | Senior Global Social Media Manager | Bumble Inc
Ellie is a Senior Social Media Strategist with over ten years of experience across the sex tech industry and consumer agency side. She’s spent her career helping brands tell better stories, connect with audiences in meaningful ways, and build communities that last. Now, at Bumble, she’s focused on redefining how dating apps show up online. With a deep understanding of culture, digital trends, and how brands can create real impact, she’s passionate about pushing the industry forward. As a judge for the Global Social Media Awards, she’s excited to see the most creative, boundary-pushing work in the space.
Jade Lambourne | Social Media Lead | The Very Group
Jade Lambourne is a social media expert with over a decade of experience in the industry, working with some of the UK’s biggest retailers, including ASOS and The Very Group. Specialising in strategy and content creation within the fashion and beauty space, Jade has led campaigns and produced content for globally recognised brands such as MAC Cosmetics, Adidas, and Disney. With a deep understanding of audience engagement and digital storytelling, Jade continues to shape the social media landscape, making them a valued judge for this year’s Social Media Awards.
Jade Tilbury | PR & Social Media Manager | We Buy Any Car
Jade has worked in PR and social media for over 10 years, across B2B and B2C, both in house and agency. Her career has spanned many sectors, including automotive, property, toys, retail, leisure and legal, and she is currently PR and Social Media Manager at the UK’s go-to online car buying service, webuyanycar. Her role includes overseeing social media strategy planning and implementation, influencer management and leading the social media team, supporting on campaigns, stakeholder management and day-to-day content creation.
James Marcus | Social Media Consultant | Health & Charity Sector
With 13 years’ experience in social media across the public, private and charity sectors, James has led high-impact social media campaigns and teams in some of the UK’s most recognisable organisations. This includes heading up NHS England’s social media team during the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, managing social media for suicide prevention charity Samaritans. He believes in the power of storytelling to drive meaningful engagement and is passionate about using social platforms to amplify unique voices and lived experiences. He also champions the use of data-driven insights through social listening to create content that’s relevant, relatable and rewarding.
Jonathan Pollinger | Social Media and AI Trainer |
Jonathan Pollinger is an experienced freelance AI Trainer and Consultant based in Cardiff, South Wales. He specialises in digital marketing including social media in alongside AI helping businesses, charities, colleges, local government and public figures to achieve their objectives through effective use of AI tools and digital channels. Jonathan holds a BA (Hons) in Modern English Studies with Language and Communication from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST). With over 15 years of experience, he has become a well-connected figure in the digital industry, regularly sharing his insights on BBC local radio regarding social media, AI and technology. Jonathan’s training sessions are known for their engaging and practical approach. His enthusiasm for digital marketing and AI shines through in his dynamic workshops and bespoke sessions, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice. This approach has made him a highly sought-after trainer and consultant. Throughout his career, Jonathan has successfully supported a diverse range of clients including BAM Nuttall, Howden Insurance, National Trust, University of the West of England (UWE), Swansea University and Mind providing them with actionable insights and strategies to enhance their digital presence and helping them maximise the potential of AI.
Kelly Friend | PR Manager - UK & US | WithSecure
Kelly is the UK & US PR Manager for cyber security company WithSecure. With almost 15 years in the industry, Kelly has led technology PR campaigns across industries including healthcare, aviation, subsea oil and gas, and maritime defence. You can find Kelly on Twitter @KellyFriendPR and on LinkedIn.
Kirstin Rawlings | Founder & Global Social Media Director |
Kirstin is an accomplished social media professional with a strong background in leading global social strategies for well-known high-street brands within the beauty, lifestyle, and fashion sectors. With expertise in managing social media accounts and teams, she has a proven track record of building communities from the ground up. Her hands-on experience spans across strategy, community management, content creation, and content planning.
Lauren Pogson | Head of PR & Social | Evri
Lauren has over 16 years of in house and agency experience for major UK brands. Lauren joined Evri in April 2024 in the newly created role of Head of PR and Social, where she is responsible for building and leading a new team as part of a business wide investment in customer service and shifting brand perception. Starting out her career in an international tech PR agency at a time when social media use began to boom, Lauren then went on to spend 13 years at the Co-op where she managed the social media presence for Co-op Bank during a period of crisis before going on to support and lead on consumer and corporate PR activity across wider Co-op businesses. She is specialised in crisis and issues management and experienced in leading award-winning teams to deliver integrated communications campaigns.
Luan Wise | Independent Social Media Consultant and Editor | The Lighthouse
Luan Wise is a chartered marketer and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) with more than 20 years’ experience in agency, client-side and consultancy roles. She has worked with clients across B2C and B2B, providing both hands-on support and strategic consultancy. In addition, Luan writes and delivers social media marketing training programmes for in-house teams, plus organisations including LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, professional bodies, and university business schools.
Lukasz Zelezny | SEO Consultant |
Lukasz Zelezny, UK Search Awards judge, Top10 UK Social Media influencer and former director of organic performance at uSwitch / Zoopla. Currently is working as an independent SEO Consultant helping in organic traffic acquisition, technical SEO and content marketing. Lukasz started his career in 2005 and has since been responsible for the organic performance of a number of companies including HomeAway, Thomson Reuters, The Digital Property Group, Fleetway Travel, uSwitch, Zoopla. Each year Lukasz is speaking at many SEO and social media conferences. He was a speaker at ClickZ Shanghai China, ClickZ Jakarta Indonesia, SiMGA Malta, SES London as well as Marketing Festival in Brno, Brighton SEO in Brighton and UnGagged in London. Every year he is actively participating in 10 to 20 events as an SEO/Social Media keynote speaker. Additionally, he organizes workshops and meetups where he is sharing tips around SEO, Social Media and Analytics.
Magda Marchowska-Raza | Assistant Professor | North Dakota State University
Magda is passionate about social media marketing and creative marketing. With a strong blend of academic expertise and practical experience, she supports small businesses in leveraging social media to build engagement and drive value. Having recently completed her PhD on value creation and consumer engagement within social media brand communities, she bridges cutting-edge research with actionable insights to help brands thrive in the digital space.
Mieke Van Embden | Senior PR & Social Media Manager | Lily's Kitchen
Dublin native Mieke van Embden is the Senior PR & Social Media Manager at Lily’s Kitchen, where she has spent the last six years leading organic social and influencer activity for the B Corp pet food brand. In that time, she’s branded a train carriage, launched the company’s first ever Christmas ad on BVOD and executed the company’s biggest ever influencer campaign with stars such as Pete Wicks, Tasha Ghouri and Vicky Pattison. When not scrolling pictures of dogs and cats, she can be found roaming South East London with her two chihuahuas.
Naomi Horan | Social Media & Influencer Manager | Cloud Nine Hair
Naomi brings 9 years of industry experience in the social media and influencer space. Working for both brand and agency, her move to CLOUD NINE over 3 years ago sees her leading the global team for all things social and influencer, from strategy through to execution (and everything in between) for the global haircare brand. Launching CLOUD NINE as the first hair electrical brand on TikTok Shop back in 2023. Joining the judging panel, Naomi’s incredibly excited to see the potential for this year’s entries.
Natalie Messingham | Senior Social Media Manager - Advocacy | John Lewis
Natalie is currently heading up Social Media and PR. She has 10 years of experience of working within social media, content and PR roles at Marks & Spencers, Currys and Tesco.
Neville Hobson | SOCIAL STRATEGIST, COMMUNICATOR, PODCASTER |
Neville Hobson is a social strategist, communicator, and podcaster. He works independently, consulting with a number of organizations to help them create and build foundations for authentic engagement that enable them to develop and expand their online presence, reach and influence. He is also a non-executive director of a Web3 start-up that’s bringing innovation to NFT marketplaces. He has been helping organizations leverage his experiences, knowledge and subject-matter expertise over a 20-year period of social networks, social media strategy development, marketing, analytics and insights reporting. He connects this expertise with a 15-year career in traditional public relations, marketing communication, corporate communication, employee, compensation and benefits communication, and investor relations.
Oluwatobi Balogun | Communication and Engagement | Surrey Research Park
Oluwatobi Balogun is a digital marketing and communications expert with over 8 years of experience across social media, SEO, and content strategy. She is the founder of SustainWyse, a platform helping startups embed sustainability into their business models. With an MBA from the University of Surrey, Oluwatobi has worked with startups, SMEs, and businesses globally driving growth, amplifying digital presence, and creating purpose-led strategies that deliver measurable impact.
Paris de Reuck | Content and Facebook Advertising Strategist | Consultant
Paris has worked in social media and SEO for thirteen years, with eight years spent heading social media, influencers and editorial teams at MediaCom and OMD. Paris now works directly with companies and startups creating and managing their content, or improving the outputs of their staff, giving a fresh perspective on how to make content and social media efforts more effective.
Philip Bacon | Marketing Director, Strategist, and Consultant | Marketing Managed
I'm a marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience spanning in-house roles, agency collaborations, and consultancy. My career has taken me across diverse sectors, including education, food, technology, engineering, and manufacturing, where I’ve been involved in almost every aspect and channel in marketing, whether that has been hands-on or managing multiple agency and freelance relationships. Before founding Bacon Marketing in 2020, now Marketing Managed, I've worked in senior marketing roles for various companies, both in-house and agency-side. These roles allowed me to hone my skills in campaign execution, lead generation, and strategic planning. Over the years, I’ve led high-stakes marketing initiatives, including complex multi-product and brand launches, digital marketing transformations, and multi-channel campaigns that have consistently delivered results.
Rebecca Shipton | Head of Social | LOUNGE
Rebecca is a social media professional with 8 years-worth of experience in the industry across platforms. She has applied her organic social skillset to iconic brands, such as Gymshark, Flo Health and most recently as Head of Social at Lounge. Rebecca is also one of the first seven virtual columnists for Pretty Little Marketer's blog; a community of over 300,000 followers. She’s passionate about entertaining content, generating engagement and ideation, as well as being a little nerd.
Rejoice Ojiaku | SEO Manager | Nelson Bostock UNLIMITED
Rejoice Ojiaku is an SEO Specialist & Content Strategist, as well as the Co-Founder of B-DigitalUK – a platform for showcasing and empowering black talent in the UK digital marketing scene. Her expertise lies in SEO, Diversity and inclusion, all bolstered by strong personal branding both online and offline.
Rumyana Miteva | Growth Marketing Director | Motorway
Rumyana is currently a Performance Marketing Director at Deliveroo. She is leading a global team of Paid Search, Display & Video, Paid Social and Affiliate specialists, who are delivering growth for the company through a rigorous test & learn agenda. With more than 14+ years in Digital Marketing Rumyana has expert knowledge and valuable experience helping brands acquire & retain customers through Paid Media channels. Outside of work Rumyana enjoys being a Digital Consultant for small businesses, mentoring young professionals and sharing her knowledge by speaking at events.
Sian Nicholas | Global Social Media Manager | Charlotte Tilbury
A driven and ambitious creative, with 6 years experience working in social media and fashion marketing for both leading retailers and on a freelance basis. Siân is currently Global Social Media Manager at Charlotte Tilbury and her speciality focuses on Instagram and events. A graduate of University of Southampton, Winchester School of Art with a 2:1 honours degree in Fashion Marketing, plus additional modules in Writing for The Creative Industries and Writing to Publication. Siân also holds a certification in Fashion Law from The Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University, NYC.
Simon Howland | Digital Marketing Consultant |
Simon is an independent consultant, qualified scuba diver, sailor and aspiring badminton player. When not at sea or on a court he works with ambitious companies wanting to understand, shape and accelerate their online performance. With 20+ years experience across multiple industries and sectors, he has developed a fresh and unique approach to delivering impressive commercial results focussed on the things that really matter, avoiding wasting time and budgets by developing better working practices across people, technology and strategy. Not afraid to make tough decisions backed by data and experience, and with an extensive network of digital professionals to call on, he is well positioned to help even the most ambitious clients succeed.
Stefan Evans | Social Media Consultant |
Stefan Evans is a seasoned social media consultant with over a decade of proven success working with some of the world’s most renowned brands and talent. His unique blend of strategic insight and creative expertise allows him to craft strategies that not only drive measurable results but also scale reach and build engaged communities.
Stephanie Oakes | Social Media Manager | REISS
Stephanie has over 5 years’ experience in Social Media and Influencer marketing, currently leading the Social Media team for global fashion brand Reiss. Her role spans across social strategy, content creation and creator/influencer management, including working on the iconic Reiss x McLaren F1 Collaboration and the viral ‘Man in Finance’ TikTok video. Prior to this Stephanie completed a 2-year graduate scheme at THG (LOOKFANTASTIC) before going on to lead the social and marketing strategy at Filter by Molly Mae and FACEGYM.
Steve Kuncewicz | Partner and Head Of Creative, Digital & Marketing | Glaisyers ETL
Steve is a Partner and Head of Creative, Digital and Marketing at Glaisyers ETL in Manchester. He specialises in intellectual property, media social media and privacy law and is listed as a "recommended lawyer" in the Legal 500, and was a oo-founder pf the Bulletproof Agency Network. He is a regular media spokesperson, and has given interviews to the local and national press through BBC Breakfast, Sky News, ITV, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC London. Steve is also the Manchester Publicity Association’s Honorary Solicitor.
Unni Henry | Head of PR | Direct Line Group
A seasoned financial PR professional with over 20 years of in-house and agency experience across the UK and Germany, Unni specializes in the general insurance, legal, and asset management sectors. She is adept at crafting and executing impactful PR strategies that elevate brand reputation and drive business success. Currently leading strategic communications for Churchill and Direct Line Business Insurance, Unni has a proven track record in media relations, crisis management, and thought leadership. She works closely with senior executives to shape brand narratives, mitigate reputational risks, and deliver high-profile PR campaigns that engage key audiences.
Veronika Höller | Head of Demand Generation | Tresorit
Veronika is a Global SEO Lead and has worked in SEO and PPC marketing for over 14 years. She started as a copywriter and PPC Manager in a little Ads Agency. She has continuously developed herself further into the direction of SEO. Over the years, she has worked as a digital marketing manager in agencies and international companies, including CompuGroup where she is now. International SEO and PPC Strategies are Top of her priority list. She views SEO as a whole puzzle and not just individual sub-areas, hence why she trained herself in all areas – content, technology, PPC, SMM and UX. Today she spreads her knowledge as a speaker on the stages of international digital marketing conferences such as BrightonSEO, SMX advanced, International Search Summit etc. For her all digital marketing channels have to be united to get the best of your website.
Become A Judge
Our Event Sponsors & Partners
Latest News
Kitch Named Best Small Agency At The 2024 Social Media AwardsRead More
"We’re thrilled to be finalists because the UK Social Media Awards are an amazing way to celebrate the creativity and innovation that is involved in achieving outstanding social media campaigns, judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders and experts. It’s incredible to be finalists alongside some incredible campaigns. It means a lot to be recognised for our hard work." Naturally Social
“We are thrilled to have won this award for the second consecutive year! This is a great recognition of our growth, the quality of work achieved and the wonderful team we’ve built in the last six years. We are all so proud and can’t wait to see what we achieve next.”Zoe Stephenson, Co-Founder & Managing Director The Social Shepherd
"This award fuels our determination to continue building our reputation for developing strong and impactful products. We’re excited about the journey ahead and remain committed to delivering excellence in the ever-evolving world of social media. Thank you for this achievement!" Performics
"Being recognised at the UK Social Media Awards is particularly special to us, considering the high calibre of competition that extends across the country and many different industries. We are proud to be a shining example of the high quality work that can be produced as a public sector organisation." Manchester City Council
"To have our successes recognised nationally by UK Socia Media Awards, both in paid social and as an agency, after a period of challenge and change is a wonderful testament to our dedication to our clients and passion for social media." Oh So Social
"The UK Social Media Awards not only honour remarkable achievements and innovations in social media marketing but also serve as a launchpad for future triumphs for all the winners."Alex Blomfield Motive Agency
