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Fractional marketing director for UK SMEs

I decipher what your marketing needs to say and do: sharper strategy, clearer messaging, better websites. No full-time hire.

You might be here because one of these is true:

  • You're producing content, but it isn't clearly tied to commercial goals.

  • You're planning a rebrand and need to know what actually needs changing.

  • Your website gets traffic, but not enough enquiries.

  • You need senior direction, not another list of disconnected marketing tasks.

If any of these sound familiar, let's talk.

That typically means two kinds of business:​

  • Established SMEs (usually £2m–£20m turnover) where marketing is happening but not strategically, it isn't connected to positioning, growth objectives, or the right audiences.

  • New and emerging businesses that need everything built from scratch - brand identity, website, content - and want it done properly the first time.

In both cases, the common thread is the need for senior marketing expertise without the overhead. Someone who can make the right calls and get things done.

Who's it for?

Fractional marketing works best for businesses that need senior strategic input but aren't at the stage or size where a full-time marketing director makes sense.

Based in London and working with SMEs across the UK, I help established businesses sharpen their direction and emerging businesses get brand, website and content right from the start.

Brand strategy, positioning, messaging, website design and build, content, tender writing, events

What a fractional marketing director does

A fractional CMO provides senior marketing leadership on a part-time or project basis — strategy, messaging, and delivery, without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

 

In practice, that means setting the marketing strategy, developing the messaging, and/or delivering the elements you need: brand, website, content, events, tenders. Not a specialist in just one channel, but the person responsible for making it all work together.

For growing UK businesses, the model is particularly effective. You get direct access to senior-level thinking from day one — no recruitment process, no onboarding lag, no permanent overhead.

One-off projects or ongoing support.
Five core services.

Engagements run as fixed-price projects or ongoing support from one day per month.

See how it works →

Marc is excellent to work with, providing us with a very well-designed website, delivered on time. Marc also offered a lot of additional technical advice and insights to improve the performance of the website. We certainly will work with Marc on future projects."

Dan Johnson,

Founder, Placemaking London (Saluura)

See the full case study →

Tender writing. You've found the right contract. Now you need a response that wins it. I write tender submissions that answer the question behind the question; positioning your business clearly, evidencing your capability, and scoring where it counts.

Legends Boxing Gym tender writing by Marc Bates at Fractional Marc - 4.jpg
Iterato Training designed by Fractional Marc portfolio - by Marc Bates

Content. Words and design that get your message across. Blogs, case studies, social posts, sales collateral, whatever you need.

Saluura website design by Marc Bates - Fractionalmarc - 2.jpg

Websites. Planned, designed, and built. Clean, fast, SEO-friendly sites on Wix Studio. No bloat, just results.

Cadence Performance swing tags - Fractional Marc portfolio - by Marc Bates

Brand. Distinctive brand identity designed to work everywhere – from business cards to billboards.

United Uk content strategy development Fractional Marc portfolio - by Marc Bates

Strategy. Clear plans that turn ideas into action. I'll review what you have, identify what you need, and map the route forward.

Selected work

Real businesses, real briefs, real results. A few of the projects I've worked on recently. (Every project delivered on time and on budget.)

Working with Marc on a new brand identity for Rubikon Consulting Ltd was an absolute pleasure. The process was thoughtful, collaborative and efficient, and the end result feels perfectly aligned with who I am and how I work as a consultant." Rob Kidd, Founder, Rubikon Consulting Ltd

See the full case study →

Latest thinking

Notes on marketing strategy, AI search, websites, tender writing and the work behind stronger SME marketing.

Let's build something that works harder

Whether you need a full rebrand, a website that generates enquiries, or a marketing professional to own the direction, let's talk about what you need.

No pitch. No pressure. Just a conversation about whether fractional marketing support is the right fit for your business.

Complete the form →

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