I'm a creative lead, art director and designer with over 20 years in the industry. I’ve worked across many disciplines and freelanced for over eight years, most recently as Head of Design for McCann Milton Keynes. I collaborate with multi-disciplined teams and lead projects and designers to produce work of the highest standard, whether that’s a large campaign, a pitch, directing photoshoots or the everyday design tasks. I pride myself on being friendly, open and honest to work with, enabling strong connections with teams. My freelance and agency experience includes brand work and campaigns for Lotus Cars, Vauxhall, PMI and Qatar Airways, plus a seat on the agency’s Future Board where I helped shape people, culture and brand ethos. This blend of creative craft and commercial insight informs the all-round service I bring to clients today.…

Matt Fairgrieve

I'm a creative lead, art director and designer with over 20 years in the industry. I’ve worked across many disciplines and freelanced for over eight years, most recently as Head of Design for McCann Milton Keynes. I collaborate with multi-disciplined teams and lead projects and designers to produce work of the highest standard, whether that’s a large campaign, a pitch, directing photoshoots or the everyday design tasks. I pride myself on being friendly, open and honest to work with, enabling strong connections with teams. My freelance and agency experience includes brand work and campaigns for Lotus Cars, Vauxhall, PMI and Qatar Airways, plus a seat on the agency’s Future Board where I helped shape people, culture and brand ethos. This blend of creative craft and commercial insight informs the all-round service I bring to clients today.…

Available to hire

I’m a creative lead, art director and designer with over 20 years in the industry. I’ve worked across many disciplines and freelanced for over eight years, most recently as Head of Design for McCann Milton Keynes. I collaborate with multi-disciplined teams and lead projects and designers to produce work of the highest standard, whether that’s a large campaign, a pitch, directing photoshoots or the everyday design tasks.

I pride myself on being friendly, open and honest to work with, enabling strong connections with teams. My freelance and agency experience includes brand work and campaigns for Lotus Cars, Vauxhall, PMI and Qatar Airways, plus a seat on the agency’s Future Board where I helped shape people, culture and brand ethos. This blend of creative craft and commercial insight informs the all-round service I bring to clients today.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freeleance Senior Graphic Designer, Design Director at Matt Fairgrieve Creative Ltd
March 2, 2020 - Present
Creative & Design Leadership Art Direction Concept Development Idea Generation Fully Integrated Design Campaign Rollout Branding Pitch Creative Strategic Thinking
Head of Design at McCann Milton Keynes
December 31, 2022 - September 18, 2025
Led a team of 5 designers and directed designers in digital and motion alongside senior creative directors, strategists and copywriters. Contributed to successful pitches and ongoing campaign work for clients such as Lotus Cars, Vauxhall, PMI and Qatar Airways. Directed photographers, animators and editors, ensuring consistency and quality of work from the internal design team. Participated in the Future Board to shape agency plans and brand ethos.
Design/Creative Lead at Freelance
January 1, 2017 - Present
Independent senior designer and creative lead offering freelance design and creative leadership. Worked with multiple clients and agencies, including Value Retail PLC, led the rebrand of Trilogiq, designed branding and packaging for the food & drinks sector, and provided creative consultancy to startups.
Senior Creative Designer at Travis Perkins PLC
February 28, 2017 - September 18, 2025
Worked within DPD (in-house agency) at Travis Perkins, providing creative and design support to 20+ businesses, acting as a brand guardian for SBS and BPT, overseeing digital assets, direct marketing/print and POS.
Senior Designer/Art Director at Creative Bridge
December 31, 2015 - September 18, 2025
Provided design leadership and creative services with a four-strong design team, collaborating with in-house digital designers, web developers, copywriters and account managers. Led branding, exhibition/event graphics, digital/interactive work and brand guardianship, from brief to production. Clients included Novo Nordisk, Metlife, BNY Mellon and Futures Housing Group.
Graphic Design Lead at Nimlok Ltd
December 31, 2009 - September 18, 2025
In-house graphic production studio; led the studio and managed the workflow, file handling and large-format print production. Gained extensive technical experience while handling end clients such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Creative Artworker at The Sloane Group
January 1, 2004 - September 18, 2025
Helped establish early in-house design capability and contributed to client deliverables including university collateral and local promotional material. Gained client-facing experience and early project management exposure.
Head of Design at McCann Milton Keynes
January 1, 2022 - September 18, 2025
Led a team of designers (5) and guided designers in digital and motion, working alongside senior creative directors, strategists and copywriters. Responsible for creative and art direction on pitches and ongoing campaigns for clients including Lotus Cars, Vauxhall, PMI and Qatar Airways. Regularly directed photographers, animators and editors, ensuring consistency and quality across the internal design team. Also involved in the Future Board to shape business plans, equality, working environment and brand ethos.
Design/Creative Lead at Freelance
January 1, 2017 - Present
Freelance senior designer/creative lead working with multiple clients and agencies. Engaged with Value Retail PLC brand team, led the rebrand of Trilogiq, designed branding and packaging for the food & drinks sector, provided creative consultancy to startups, and gained extensive agency exposure.
Senior Creative Designer at Travis Perkins PLC
February 28, 2017 - September 18, 2025
Worked within DPD (Design, Print, Digital) in-house agency for the group, providing creative design services across 20+ brands (including Wickes, Benchmarx, Tile Giant, Keyline). Served as brand guardian for SBS and BPT, overseeing digital assets, direct marketing/print and POS, and collaborating with a large team of designers and artworkers.
Senior Designer/Art Director at Creative Bridge
December 31, 2015 - September 18, 2025
Led a design team, collaborated with in-house digital designers, web developers, copywriters and account managers. Delivered branding, exhibition and event graphics, digital/interactive games and brand guardianship for clients including Novo Nordisk, Metlife, BNY Mellon and Futures Housing Group.
Graphic Design Lead at Nimlok Ltd
January 1, 2009 - September 18, 2025
In-house graphic production studio focusing on large-format POS displays. Ran the studio (including during relocation and maternity leave), managed workflow, file handling, artworking and day-to-day operation of large-format inkjet printers.
Creative Artworker at The Sloane Group
January 1, 2004 - September 18, 2025
Helped establish a local design agency after university, delivering projects for Northampton University entertainments collateral and local businesses. Gained early client contact and delivery experience.

Education

BA Hons Degree Graphic Communcation at Northampton University
September 1, 1997 - July 6, 2001
BA Hons Graphic Communication at Northampton University
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2001
Design Partnership AX-S Graphics at AX-S Graphics
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2003
BA Hons Graphic Communication at Northampton University
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2001
Design Partnership at AX-S Graphics
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2003

Qualifications

BA Hons Degree Graphic Communcation
September 1, 1997 - July 6, 2001

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Other, Manufacturing, Retail, Education