Entrepreneur who started business from his bedroom on UK top 50 list

CITY MARKETING EXECUTIVE IS ‘ONE TO WATCH’

By SHANNEN HEADLEY

News Reporter It’s hard work building a company, and at this speed, so it’s nice to be picked up and get that recognition

Luke Tobin

AN entrepreneur who started his marketing business from his bedroom six years ago has been named on a top 50 national business list.

Luke Tobin, the CEO of Leicester marketing company Digital Ethos, is featured as one of this year’s Ones to Watch in the Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) Top 50, which is supported by The Times.

It aims to find and celebrate the UK’s most ambitious business leaders behind growing mediumsized businesses from every sector and region of the economy.

The programme, which is now in its fourth year, celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fastgrowing medium-sized firms.

Luke, who founded Digital Ethos in 2016, said he is thrilled to be included in the list.

“It has been a challenging year for us all and I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication our team has put in during this time,” he said.

“Digital Ethos has been able to thrive and, most importantly, grow despite the ongoing challenges the pandemic has presented us.

“I am pleased that we have been able to continue on a path to be the best in what we do and deliver services and results for our clients.” Digital Ethos is a full-service digital agency with its headquarters in King Street, Leicester.

It covers search engine optimisation, pay-per-click advertising, web design, social media and public relations.

The 36-year-old, from Loughborough, said the business was started from humble beginnings in 2015.

He said: “When I decided to start the agency, I came back to Leicester for a reason. I found a gap and thought it was great to do something from the Midlands.

“I wanted to start something here and try to put Leicester on the map a bit.”

Over the past 12 months, the company has expanded internationally, opening offices in Germany and Canada as well as UK offices in York and Manchester.

The former freelancer said: “The pandemic was really difficult. On the worst day seven clients called us to say they wanted to cancel spending with us.

“We lost 26 clients in the first month alone.

“But we adapted to it. We said let’s not cancel, but let’s pause. We promised to support clients through it and because of that move I believe we came out better for it.

“We’ve doubled in size each year, even during the pandemic and we’ve now hired an extra 30 people.” Luke, who has been in marketing for 16 years, said getting recognition for his hard work has been “awesome”. “It’s hard work building a company, and at this speed, so it’s nice to be picked up and get that recognition.”

LDC’s John Garner said: “The past 18 months have presented challenges that none of us could have foreseen, but despite everything, it’s fantastic to see that so many business leaders have achieved some truly remarkable things.

“This year’s Ones to Watch group epitomises that fighting spirit and have truly impressed the judges with their stories of growth and ambition. “Congratulations to all those featured and we look forward to seeing their continued success and impact, and contribution to the broader UK economy.”