Creative Director and Art Director with a long career in brand and advertising design, progressing from Junior Art Director to senior leadership roles across agencies and client teams. Experienced in managing creative teams and end-to-end projects—from brief and strategy through artwork production, photography art direction, Mac-based workflows, print specs, costing, quoting, and proof/on-press checks—serving a wide range of consumer and business-to-business clients.

Stuart Marsh

Creative Director and Art Director with a long career in brand and advertising design, progressing from Junior Art Director to senior leadership roles across agencies and client teams. Experienced in managing creative teams and end-to-end projects—from brief and strategy through artwork production, photography art direction, Mac-based workflows, print specs, costing, quoting, and proof/on-press checks—serving a wide range of consumer and business-to-business clients.

Available to hire

Creative Director and Art Director with a long career in brand and advertising design, progressing from Junior Art Director to senior leadership roles across agencies and client teams.

Experienced in managing creative teams and end-to-end projects—from brief and strategy through artwork production, photography art direction, Mac-based workflows, print specs, costing, quoting, and proof/on-press checks—serving a wide range of consumer and business-to-business clients.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Creative Director at Plum Ideas Limited
September 1, 2025 - Present
Leading all creative work while managing and producing. Oversees artwork and the full progress of work through the agency—from new business prospecting through to design, advertising, and brand-building strategies for existing clients, both on and offline.
Creative Director at Plum Ideas Limited
September 2, 2003 - Present
Creative Director overseeing all creative work, managing and producing projects, artwork oversight, and progression of work through the agency. Responsible for new business development and implementing design, advertising and brand-building strategies for both online and offline channels. Worked with clients including Halifax, esure, The Derbyshire, CIS, The Hanley Economic Building Society, Police Mutual, Bayer, Brita, Swish, Tate & Lyle, and many others.
Creative Director at Plum Ideas Limited
September 1, 2003 - November 5, 2025
All creative work (management and production), overseeing artwork, project progression from new business to brand-building strategy; client roster includes Halifax, esure, The Derbyshire, CIS, Hanley Economic Building Society, Police Mutual, Coors, Bayer, Brita, Swish, Goody, and many others; responsible for maintaining high-quality creative standards across on- and offline campaigns.
Senior Designer/Studio Manager/Creative Director at Greenwell & Co Direct
September 1, 2003 - November 5, 2025
Transitioned to Direct Marketing and advertising within the Greenwell group, taking on leadership of direct marketing activities and continuing to drive creative output for a curated set of clients.
Senior Designer/Studio Manager/Creative Director at Greenwell & Co
September 1, 2003 - September 1, 2003
Studio leadership (up to 8 staff), end-to-end project responsibility from brief to delivery, photography/art direction, print specifications, vendor and printer coordination, scheduling and costing; extensive below-the-line work including packaging, literature, corporate identity, POS, direct mail, press/magazine advertising and exhibition design for a wide client base (Brita, Thomas Cook, Curver, Chubb/Union/Yale, Swish, TNT, C.W. Sellors, Warwick Castle, Polycell, Dulux, FCA, MBNA, Airmiles, Travelex).
Senior Designer/Studio Manager/Creative Director at Greenwell & Co
September 1, 2003 - October 18, 2025
Direct contact with clients/marketing departments, determining marketing strategies and brand positioning. Executed all creative and design work, including copywriting, traditional marker visuals and Mac-based output. Managed a studio, oversaw 8 staff, planned schedules, costing and quoting, and supervised printers. Worked on consumer/retail material, packaging, corporate literature, in-store promotions, and exhibition design. Led a team through full project lifecycles from brief to delivery.
Creative Director / Direct Marketing Lead at Greenwell & Co Direct
September 1, 1998 - September 1, 2003
Joined the direct marketing arm to provide DM and advertising services after the two companies split. Managed studio operations (up to 8 staff), directed creative and production of DM campaigns, packaging, in-store materials and promotional literature for a diverse client base including Brita, Thomas Cook, Curver, Chubb, Swish, TNT, Warick Castle, MBNA, and more.
Creative Director (promoted from Senior Designer) at Gary Martin Associates Creative Consultants
June 1, 1993 - September 1, 1993
Senior Designer then promoted to Creative Director. Produced business-to-business promotional/informative literature and exhibition display graphics with an emphasis on below-the-line materials. Handled direct client liaison, creative including copywriting, planning, costing and quoting projects, and coordination with printers. Led studio-related responsibilities and contributed to early adoption of Apple Mac workflows.
Senior Designer/Studio Manager/Creative Director at Greenwell & Co
June 1, 1993 - September 1, 1998
Direct client contact, marketing strategy, brand positioning and distinguishing client requirements. Executed all creative and design work, copywriting, visualisation using marker and Apple Mac, managed a studio (up to 8 people), commissioned photography and illustration, art direction, print specs, proofs and on-press work. Planned, scheduled, costed and quoted all projects; part of the management team.
Senior Designer / Studio Manager / Creative Director at Greenwell & Co
June 1, 1993 - September 1, 2003
Direct client contact; marketing strategy and brand positioning; execution of creative and design; managed a studio of up to 8 people; photography/illustration direction; print specs, costing and proofs; scheduling and budgeting for below-the-line consumer/retail work including packaging, brochures, POS and direct mail for a broad client base.
Senior Designer/Creative Director at Gary Martin Associates
February 28, 1993 - October 18, 2025
Senior Designer initially, promoted to Creative Director. Responsibilities included direct client liaison, all creative, copywriting, planning, costing and quoting projects, liaising with printers, and managing production. Focused on below-the-line consumer literature, exhibition graphics and related materials, with a shift toward business-to-business communications.
Senior Designer to Creative Director at Gary Martin Associates Creative Consultants
February 1, 1993 - February 1, 1993
Direct client liaison, copywriting, planning, costing and quoting; liaison with printers; first exposure to Apple Mac; focus on below-the-line, business-to-business literature and exhibition graphics for clients such as Central TV (CTE), RSA, DTI, British Rail and ECOTEC.
Art Director/Graphic Designer at Sutcliffe/Reynolds/Fitzgerald
December 31, 1989 - October 18, 2025
Originally Junior Art Director, progressed to Art Director/Graphic Designer. Responsibilities included concepts, designs, marker visuals, typography specs for typesetters, overseeing artwork preparation, sourcing photography/illustration, artwork colour specs, and checking printers' proofs. Involved in above- and below-the-line advertising campaigns, corporate identity and logo creation, brochures, direct mail, POS, packaging, exhibition stand/display graphics, and client liaison. Mentored by Nick Reynolds and John Sutcliffe, I learned to translate briefs into compelling visuals under tight deadlines.
Senior Designer, Creative Director at Gary Martin Associates Creative Consultants
December 1, 1989 - February 1, 1993
Direct client liaison and full creative responsibility including copywriting, planning, costing and quoting projects; liaised with printers; first experience of Apple Mac. Focused on business-to-business, below-the-line promotional/informative literature and exhibition graphics for clients in television, RSA, DTI, British Rail, ECOTEC and more.
Senior Designer / Creative Director at Gary Martin Associates Creative Consultants
December 1, 1989 - February 28, 1993
Direct client liaison; lead creativity including copywriting, planning, costing and quoting; liaison with printers; first hands-on use of Apple Mac; focus on below-the-line promotional literature, packaging, corporate brochures, direct mail and exhibition graphics for TV, educational and government clients.
Junior Art Director to Art Director/Graphic Designer at Sutcliffe/Reynolds/Fitzgerald
December 1, 1989 - December 1, 1989
Concepts, design, marker visuals, type specs for typesetters, artwork preparation, photography/illustration direction, colour specs, proofs; above- and below-the-line campaigns, corporate identity and logo development, brochures, direct mail, POS, packaging, promotional gifts, exhibition stand graphics; client work included TNT, NYCOMED, Central TV and various legal and financial services.
Art Director / Graphic Designer at Sutcliffe/Reynolds/Fitzgerald
December 1, 1985 - December 1, 1989
Worked from Junior Art Director through to Art Director/Graphic Designer. Developed concepts and highly finished marker visuals, created type specs for typesetters, oversaw artwork preparation, sourced and directed photography and illustration, managed artwork colour specifications, and checked printer proofs. Produced and delivered end-to-end creative across above-the-line and below-the-line work including corporate identity and logo creation, brochures, direct mail, point of sale, packaging, promotional gift items, and exhibition stand/display graphics. Worked with a variety of clients including transportation, pharmaceutical, television, legal, exhibition organisers, building contractors, leisure, telecommunications, and local authority.
Junior Art Director, progressed to Art Director/Graphic Designer at Sutcliffe/Reynolds/Fitzgerald
December 1, 1985 - December 1, 1989
Concepts, design, slick/highly finished marker visuals, type specs for typesetters, overseeing artwork preparation, sourcing and overseeing photography and illustration, artwork colour specs, checking printers' proofs. Involved in above- and below-the-line advertising campaigns, corporate identity and logo creation, corporate and promotional brochures, direct mail, point of sale, packaging, promotional gifts, exhibition stand and display graphics. Clients included TNT, NYCOMED, Central, Brindley, Swish, Chubb, etc.
Art Director/Graphic Designer at Sutcliffe/Reynolds/Fitzgerald
December 1, 1985 - December 31, 1989
Concepts, design and marker visuals; type specs for typesetters; oversee artwork preparation; source and direct photography and illustration; artwork colour specs; check printer proofs; early stage responsibilities included tea duties. Delivered above- and below-the-line campaigns, corporate identity/logo design, brochures, direct mail, POS, packaging, gifts, and exhibition/display graphics for clients including TNT, NYCOMED, Central TV, and various solicitors and exhibitors.

Education

O Level Qualifications at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 31, 1981
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1981 - June 1, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1983 - June 1, 1985
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1981 - June 1, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1983 - June 1, 1985
O Level: History at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 1, 1981
O Level: Maths at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 1, 1981
O Level: Geology at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 1, 1981
Primary Education at Red Hall Primary School
January 11, 2030 - November 5, 2025
Junior Education at Red Hall Junior School
January 11, 2030 - November 5, 2025
O-Level Qualifications at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 1, 1981
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1981 - June 1, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1983 - June 1, 1985
Primary Education at Red Hall Primary School
September 1, 1969 - August 31, 1973
Junior Education at Red Hall Junior School
September 1, 1973 - August 31, 1977
Secondary Education at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 31, 1981
O Level Qualifications at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1981 - June 30, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1983 - June 30, 1985
O-Level Qualifications: Art (A); English Literature (A); English Language (A); History (B); Maths (C); Geology (C) at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 31, 1981
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1981 - June 30, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1983 - June 30, 1985
Red Hall Primary School at Red Hall Primary School
September 1, 1969 - August 31, 1973
Red Hall Junior School at Red Hall Junior School
September 1, 1973 - August 31, 1977
Graphic Design Diploma at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1981 - June 1, 1983
Graphic Design Diploma (BTEC) at Stourbridge College of Technology & Art
September 1, 1983 - June 1, 1985
O Level at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 31, 1981
Secondary School at Ellowes Hall Secondary School
September 1, 1977 - August 31, 1981
Junior School at Red Hall Junior School
September 1, 1973 - August 31, 1977
Primary School at Red Hall Primary School
September 1, 1969 - August 31, 1973

Qualifications

O Level Qualifications
January 11, 2030 - October 18, 2025
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma
September 1, 1981 - June 1, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma
September 1, 1983 - June 1, 1985
O Level: Art
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 1981
O Level: English Language
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 1981
O Level: English Literature
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 1981
O Level: History
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 1981
O Level: Maths
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 1981
O Level: Geology
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 1981
Full UK Driving Licence
January 11, 2030 - November 5, 2025
O Level Qualifications
January 11, 2030 - January 7, 2026
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma
September 1, 1981 - June 30, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma
September 1, 1983 - June 30, 1985
O-Level Qualifications
September 1, 1977 - August 31, 1981
DATEC Graphic Design Diploma
September 1, 1981 - June 30, 1983
BTEC Graphic Design Diploma
September 1, 1983 - June 30, 1985
Good Clean Driving Licence
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026
Art (O Level)
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026
English Literature (O Level)
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026
English Language (O Level)
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026
History (O Level)
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026
Maths (O Level)
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026
Geology (O Level)
January 11, 2030 - July 14, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Education, Other, Government, Travel & Hospitality, Consumer Goods, Transportation & Logistics, Telecommunications