Amy
Amy’s interest in all things marketing began at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she studied advertising management and public relations. In fact, she never really left, becoming a marketing intern in 2014 and then working on from there.
Most recently, she’s spent more than three years in the international marketing team doing anything that was thrown at her – social media, events, advertising, web, copywriting, and publications.
WHY I DO IT
I loved the hands-on marketing aspect of my previous job, but this role combines all the best bits of me. I get to work with super-talented people (no one told me to say that) across all our departments and watch as they bring brilliant ideas to life. It’s great!
I love being organised and planning, so coming to Cornerstone felt like the perfect role for me.
From the moment I saw the job ad, something just struck me. It seemed like the most genuine, hardworking, and authentic company. And I was right – the job’s great, but the people are even better 😊
Tia
A local lass who hails from Saddleworth, Tia initially studied Primary Education at Edge Hill University (a few weeks in and the daily office chorus of ‘Good-morning-Miss-Walsh’ did appear to be wearing a bit thin!). It was while working part time in telesales during her degree she discovered a ‘thing’ for digital marketing. She completed an online diploma in social media marketing to further her knowledge before undertaking a master’s degree in Marketing Communications and Branding at Edge Hill University. Tia joined Cornerstone fresh from freelancing as a social media marketing manager and is now a core member of our digital team, working across a wide range of clients on everything from social media and PPC to email marketing.
WHY I DO IT
I’m a creative person, both with words and visually, so I enjoy creating content for social media and email campaigns and feel my role fits me rather well.
I enjoy watching a project come together and a big part of a job for me is being able to look at something amazing and know that I contributed to that – that sort of thing happens regularly here at Cornerstone which makes my job really satisfying!
Chris
Our Senior Designer Chris is a fully paid-up member of the ‘how time flies’ brigade, having been in the design industry for the best part of 20 years following his graduation from Nottingham Trent University.
On his way to Cornerstone, he’s worked at design agencies in Leicester and Manchester, serving many different sectors and clients, which include the NHS, Regis Hairstylists, LaSenza, JCB, Tyco Fire and Safety, the National Space Centre, Phonak, SRL Traffic Systems and a variety councils and universities.
His role with us is expanding his horizons even more, giving him the opportunity to work across print and digital projects on anything from branding, printed literature, indoor and outdoor signage, to websites and digital marketing campaigns.
WHY I DO IT
As a kid my job criteria was that I wanted to do colouring in, and never have to wear a suit. So, in a roundabout way I’ve kind of made it!
I love the idea of starting a project and seeing where the journey takes us, whether it be a simple logo or developing a website, or a brochure. Joining Cornerstone has been a fantastic opportunity for me. The people here, the opportunities, the support and the importance of doing good work with good people has been a joy to be part of.
Phil
Our Technical Lead (Web), Phil has an honours degree in psychology, so we couldn’t resist delving into his journey to Cornerstone.
It began in sales (good use of the degree there, Phil) and for many years he successfully sold business solutions for Virgin Media.
Then, back in 2010, an epiphany occurred, and he switched to web development, drawing on a lifetime’s fascination with technical creativity. That led to several years of freelancing/contracting for award-winning agencies, Cornerstone included.
Now we’ve convinced him to join the team permanently, he’s leading our web team to greater heights, refining the department’s processes and improving its overall efficiency, thus leveraging the best technical workflows to benefit Cornerstone’s commercial goals.
WHY I DO IT
I love all things technical and lways have done. I grew up with Lego, then Meccano, built Airfix model planes and now I develop functional and high-end websites for clients. It pivots technical engineering with imagination.
I love the idea of creating new things from nothing; developing something that has a real value from scratch. It’s about bringing something to life from an idea. I’m passionate about learning new technologies and for web in particular, there is always the opportunity for personal development, evolution and growth.
Kirsty
Account Manager Kirsty began her marketing career shortly after graduating with a BA (Hons) in media and journalism.
She reckons marketing provides just the right variety of copywriting, creativity, digital work, strategising and planning to keep her grey matter in tip-top shape without spontaneously combusting.
The majority of Kirsty’s marketing career to date has been in the not-for-profit and leisure sectors. After spending five years as a marketing manager for Active Tameside, she decided to seek a new challenge in the agency world to further develop her skills on a wider range of industries, as well as helping other leisure trusts and socially responsible organisations to succeed.
WHY I DO IT
My role combines the two main things that I am passionate about and enjoy – marketing and leisure – and allows me to help those who help others.
I like the fact that marketing is constantly evolving, as is the leisure industry, because it enables me to continue to learn and develop new ideas (otherwise I’d get bored very quickly).
Transparency and authenticity are important to me – attributes which the whole Cornerstone team possess. We’re a friendly, motivated, hard-working, and supportive bunch of people, who make coming to the office something to look forward to (no sarcasm intended).
Casey
Our Office Administrator Casey keeps us all on our toes to ensure Cornerstone runs like clockwork. She joins us from an operational role in the mechanical engineering sector, overseeing teams of engineers working on a wide range of projects.
She is particularly proud of project managing a large HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and plumbing contract at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and at Hawksmoor Liverpool, one of the city’s best loved restaurants.
Why I do it
Marketing intrigues me, especially after studying for a psychology degree. I’m always interested in what makes people act in a certain way and how they can be influenced. Language – written and spoken – is one of the most powerful tools in the world.
Knowing why and what is another reason why I do it. Why am I doing something, what is the end goal, what are you hoping to achieve?
Steve
Senior Developer Steve has arrived at Cornerstone, his spiritual home, via a rather circuitous route.
His story goes back to the 1990s and a passion for anything and everything related to design. The early years were devoted to graphic design – brochures, posters, advertisements, and corporate identity materials.
But then he became more interested in web technologies and how to leverage them to amplify sales and services.
After that, he studied UI/UX design, web development, server technologies and whatever new came along, putting his knowledge into ever-widening practice in several agencies until 2012.
From 2013 he operated as a freelance developer, collaborating with other specialists (including Cornerstone!) in order to provide a truly full-scale, results-driven service. Even then we made an awesome team.
Driven by a desire to build more secure websites and help businesses be proactive about online security, academia beckoned him again and Steve combined the day job with studying for a National Cyber Security Centre-certified master’s degree in advanced security and digital forensics at Edinburgh Napier University, from where he graduated with a distinction in 2021.
Earlier this year he published a research paper in the Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law, which contributes important research on wearable technologies. And then he joined Cornerstone. He says it’s so he can be part of a larger, multi-talented team. (We reckon he’s fleeing from the paparazzi!)
WHY I DO IT
I’ve been doing it for that long, I honestly can’t remember! Probably something to do with the fact that I love creating things and problem solving. Code is my medium, and I can think of nothing better than listening to some good music whilst building something complex which requires deep work and focus.
Writing code is my meditation and the fact that I can do that whilst helping clients solve their business problems, and build creative websites and applications that people can interact with, honestly brings me pure joy. I just love it and wouldn’t want to do anything else.
Dan
Senior Digital Marketer Dan says he gets a ‘warm fuzzy feeling’ inside translating marketing data into a marketing narrative and creating digital campaigns that outperform the previous one.
The ever-changing digital landscape makes that a tough challenge, but ultimately he says, seeing the fruits of his labour in terms of results, and a smile on a client’s face, makes him come back to work week after week (we pay him too, that helps).
WHY I DO IT
Dan says the very fact that marketing changes so rapidly makes every day exciting – or as he puts it: “You truly never know when there’s going to be a core algorithm update from Google, and it really keeps you on your toes – which I love.”
Rebecca
Account Manager Rebecca has been working in the field of marketing for over 6 years, since doing Photographic Journalism at Uni, she self-taught how to turn creative writing and content into strategic marketing campaigns. After running her own agency for the past 5 years with a small team of people alongside her, she took the leap into coming in house at Cornerstone to help bring her experience and knowledge in assisting her new clients reach their core objectives and beyond.
Rebecca has a wide skillset that includes: Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Copy Writing, Adobe Suite and more which she has picked up along the way of being self-employed for half a decade.
Rebecca says her marketing background means she loves our fast-paced working environment and enjoys seeing projects through from the start to the finish and the success of it.
Lia
Our Senior Digital Marketer Lia describes digital marketing as an ‘exhilarating blend of creativity, storytelling, and innovation’.
Every campaign is a new story waiting to be told, a new puzzle to solve, and she finds immense satisfaction in piecing together the perfect strategy.
Lia loves taking her clients along on the digital marketing journey, showing them the magic of what we can achieve together. It’s not just about meeting KPIs; it’s about exceeding them and setting new benchmarks for success.
“The ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing challenges me to learn new things every day, keeping me on my toes and ensuring that no two days are ever the same,” she says.
For Lia, digital marketing is the opportunity to combine her passion for creativity with her analytical mindset, creating strategies that are not only innovative but also effective.
She sees each project as the chance to push boundaries, explore new ideas, and make a tangible impact.
“That’s why I do it – for the love of the challenge, the joy of learning, and the thrill of turning ideas into reality,” she adds.
Sam
UX Designer Sam is a first for Cornerstone – we’ve never had anyone with a double-barrelled name on the team before! Only joshing, his UX role is one we’ve newly created to support our ever growing roster of web clients.
Driven by process and efficiency, he revels in refining strategies to create a smoother way of doing things.
Why you do it? My passion for creating seamless user experiences and well-oiled systems is what keeps me motivated and energised. Every new challenge is an opportunity to innovate and improve, making both my work and life run like clockwork.
Dan
Web Project Manager Dan, or ‘new Dan’ as he’s sometimes called (he’s one of two Dans on the team), acquired experience of a broad range of industries and disciplines before moving into web project management.
He started out in IT and then moved into events, working as an AV (audio/visual) technician doing live audio engineering and video production for large corporate gatherings.
From there, he moved to Canada and worked as an IT account manager in a very rural town in the mountains.
After finding his way back to good old Blighty, he went back to events, where he progressed into technical/project management, making the move into the wonderful world of web and digital a few years later.
Why you do it?
I love being involved in the creation of something from nothing and seeing creative ideas come to life. I enjoy seeing the success in building new platforms that help make people’s lives easier.
There is always something to learn when you’re working with technology too – which is a bonus!
Victoria
Our Customer Success Manager, Victoria has acquired quite a range of business experience, born out of the birth of her son, Hugo (no pun intended).
Being the master multitasker that she is (see Superpower), she established her own ecommerce business specialising in sustainable baby products. She then created a website and partnered with multiple baby clothing brands.
Through managing her company over the years, she acquired skills in web design, SEO, email marketing, content creation and most importantly building brand and customer relationships. Now, as she takes a step back from her business, she is putting those skills to use to benefit Cornerstone customers.
Why you do it? I am passionate about being part of a team and enjoy meeting new people, as I believe collaboration and connection are key to success.
Kate
Our Digital Marketing Executive, Kate works on a variety of marketing tactics, including PPC, social media, email marketing, SEO, digital projects and campaigns of varying scale and sizes, showcasing solid results and ROI through digital reporting and analytics summaries.
Her background is in social media and content, so she loves nothing more than getting stuck into meaty pieces of writing.
Why you do it: Ever since I was little, I’d eagerly wait for those iconic Christmas adverts. I always wanted to be part of the magic that brought those stories to life.
Books and writing have also been such a huge part of my life, so turning that passion into something I get to do every day feels like a dream come true.
What I love most about this industry is its energy. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and constantly evolving. Plus, I get this amazing glimpse into people’s lives, learning what drives them and what makes them tick. It’s endlessly fascinating, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dom
Senior PHP developer Dom chose a software development apprenticeship over college, a decision that’s paid dividends.
He has worked with a number of digital and marketing agencies, building a strong body of work ranging from brochure and e-commerce sites to bespoke web and mobile applications.
His past accomplishments include a custom quoting engine and e-com store for a major warranty provider, building a front-end customer portal for a US banking start-up and developing a bespoke booking engine for a global student accommodation provider.
In recent years, he’s focused on developing stable and scalable APIs.
Why you do it? I love it! I’ve done this for nearly a decade now and it’s never once felt like a job. There’s so much to learn and so much to try that it’s impossible to get bored. I love a challenge and there’s no better feeling than being able to do something I didn’t know how to, or thought was possible.