Company

Becoming a director by 30: Charlie Taylor’s StrategiQ journey

by Charles Craik
6 min read
Company, People
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Marketing & Performance Director, Charlie Taylor, graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2013 and worked agency-side as a Paid Media Specialist before making the move to StrategiQ in 2017.

Inspired by our CEO’s vision, Charlie rose through the ranks; growing the revenue of our Paid Media service line from scratch before moving on to manage some of our largest client accounts. Before long, he’d progressed to take complete ownership of our 20-strong Marketing & Performance team, leading the efforts on all of StrategiQ’s marketing execution.

Having recently celebrated his six-year work anniversary and welcomed into the Leadership Team at the age of just 29, we got under the skin of Charlie’s life at StrategiQ…

What’s been your happiest moment at StrategiQ?

Winning at the UK Paid Media Awards in 2023. Knowing that I’d played a part in building that team, and the level of thinking from where we started, to where we are now, blows me away.

What motivates you?

Seeing people progress, and get promoted in new roles makes me so proud. Every time you say “congratulations, you’ve achieved what we set out to do” – is the best feeling.

What’s your first memory of StrategiQ?

Meeting a colleague who I was told was called Amy (it was actually Levi).

What trait do you most admire most in others?

Resilience. Reliance. Stoicism.

What advice would you give anyone looking to progress at StrategiQ?

Don’t shy away from performance. The best work is measurable work. Once you’ve got that mindset, the agency will support you every step of the way.

What’s the one thing you find most challenging?

It’s easy to lose sight of the human angle when you’re target-focused, but there’s definitely an HR element to the role. I’m learning to look at the people, not just the numbers.

Who’s your biggest support?

I’ve had some amazing mentoring from the Leadership team. I’m also lucky that Ash (Creative Director) has been on a similar path. Despite being from different disciplines, we’ve definitely been able to share experiences and bounce off each other.

What makes you successful?

Being target-focused and learning to be comfortable with the fact that it’s going to be tough at times. The work/life balance isn’t for everyone, but it’s what motivates me.

How do you unwind?

Gym, every time. I spend 80% of my lunch breaks in the gym. It’s key to carve out those moments every day to blow off steam. I’d go crazy without those sessions.

It’s been a pleasure to watch and be involved with Charlie’s journey at StrategiQ. From early on I’ve known he had the raw skills to be a great leader in the agency and that journey of hard work, resilience, openness to feedback and humility to learn has turned him into an indispensable part of the leadership team. There’s always so much to learn but I’m immensely proud of his journey so far and excited about where he can go!

Andy Smith, CEO

Inspired by Charlie’s journey? Take a look at our limitless careers.

Becoming a director by 30: Charlie Taylor’s StrategiQ journey

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StrategiQ Full Awards List
2024
UK Dev Awards
Rising Star
UK Dev Awards
Fintech Website
UK Dev Awards
Third Sector Website
Campaign Best Places to Work
26/100
UK Dev Awards
Retail/Ecommerce Website
UK Company Culture Awards
Best HR Tool
Sunday Times' 100 Best Places to Work
Small Organisations Category
2023
UK Dev Awards
Best Third Sector Website
UK Dev Awards
UX Award for StrategiQ
UK Paid Media Awards
Best Use of Linkedin Ads
UK Paid Media Awards
Paid Media Agency Led Campaign Of The Year
European Paid Media Awards
Best Use of Linkedin Ads
UK Agency Awards
Best Culture Transformation Initiative
UK Search Awards
Best Use of Search (Travel)
Social Media Awards
Best Use of Instagram
Social Media Awards
Best Use of Linkedin
Social Media Awards
Best Audience Engagement Campaign
DEVELOPHerAWARDS
Emerging Talent
UK Search Awards
Best Use of Search
2022
Elite Agency
Campaign Best Places to Work
Winner Top 50
UK Dev Awards
Project of the Year
UK Dev Awards
Travel Website of the Year
UK Dev Awards
Best Site Migration
UK Dev Awards
B2B Website of the Year
UK Paid Media Awards
Local Campaign of the Year
UK Paid Media Awards
Best Use of Attribution
UK Search Awards
Best Local Campaign (PPC) (LARGE)
UK Search Awards
Travel / Leisure (PPC) (LARGE)
UK Search Awards
Retail / Ecommerce (SEO) (LARGE)
The Drum Awards
Best Business Development Initiative
2021
UK Dev Awards
Best Migration
Campaign Best Places to Work
Winner Top 50
UK Agency Awards
Covid Response (Silver)
UK Agency Awards
Campaign Effectiveness Award (Silver)
UK Search Awards
Best Use of Search Third Sector (Silver)
UK Search Awards
Best Use of Content Marketing (Silver)
UK Search Awards
Best Large SEO Campaign
2020
Campaign Best Places to Work
Winner Top 50
Suffolk Business Awards
Business of the Year
Suffolk Business Awards
Small & Medium Business of the Year
2019
DXA Awards
Best PPC Strategy with Powertool World
Suffolk Business Awards
Best Employer
2018
Best Employers Eastern Region
Best Digital & Technology Business
UK Search Awards
Best Small Integrated Search Agency
2016
EADT Business Awards
One To Watch Award
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