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CV: Ben Matthews

Email: ben@empower.agency
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benrmatthews
Location: United Kingdom

Strategic communications leader who scaled Empower Agency to 7-figure revenues across multiple years through high-ownership, agile approach to building impactful organisations. Built and led distributed teams of 15+ professionals across multiple countries, delivering measurable impact for UNICEF, UNHCR, COP26, and other purpose-driven organisations. Thrives in high-trust, fast-moving environments where autonomy drives results. Seeking leadership role to apply 12 years of entrepreneurial growth, impact delivery, and remote team management expertise.

Experience

Co-Founder | Empower Agency | March 2014 – Present
B-Corp digital comms agency (£1mil+ annual revenue, 15-person team, 150+ global clients)

Scaled agency from startup to £1million annual revenue, securing contracts with UNICEF, Amnesty International, UN Refugee Agency, COP26, and 150 other global organisations. Built team of 15+ strategists and specialists, delivering campaigns reaching 250 million people across 11 markets. Negotiated client partnerships worth over £200,000 annually. Established agency as leading provider for purpose-driven comms through membership of Ethical Agencies Alliance, B Corp certified (score of 123).

Head of Communications | FutureGov | March 2013 – March 2014
Government-tech startup (£2mil revenue, company gained Series A funding while in position)

Designed communications strategy for startup serving local authorities and government departments. Led communications activity, managing marketing budget, built media relationships to generate media coverage across multiple projects. FutureGov exited to TPX Impact two years after I left the company.

Freelance Digital Marketing Consultant | January 2012 – March 2013

Key client achievements:

American Express: Managed UK social media presence, grew Facebook community by 400% to 150,000 followers, launched UK Foursquare partnership
Join In (Olympics legacy campaign): Social media lead growing community to 10,000 with 2.5 million reach under limited budget and tight timelines
WWF: Digital PR lead for “The Panda Made Me Do It” campaign, managing blogger outreach and events

Associate Lecturer | University of the Arts London | January 2012 – April 2012

Taught MA in Digital PR and Social Media, developing curriculum and delivering lectures on digital communications strategy and implementation.

Social Media / Digital Manager | London 2012 Festival | June 2011 – December 2011

Managed social media strategy for Olympic cultural programme reaching 25 million people across 120 events nationwide. Coordinated with 12-person cultural team and main London 2012 digital team. Delivered website supporting 80+ Festival events.

Programme Manager | 33 Digital | May 2009 – June 2011

Managed digital campaigns for international clients. Led team delivering experimental digital community engagement strategies. Increased client retention and secured new business through innovative campaign approaches.

Senior Programme Executive | Hotwire | May 2008 – May 2009

Delivered PR campaigns for Financial Times, Microsoft, and O2 Telefonica. Won PR Week’s Young PR Professional of the Year for digital charity communications innovation.

Founder | Bright One | September 2008 – August 2012

Founded volunteer-led model with 100% income subsidising low-income charities. Coordinated over 50 volunteer professionals delivering £500,000 worth of pro-bono professional services. Served 25 charity clients with beneficiaries across the UK. Managed transition to new CEO and Executive team.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (2:1), English and Related Literature | University of York | 2004-2007

Trusteeships and leadership positions

Key competencies

Entrepreneurial mindset • High-autonomy environments • Remote team coordination • Accountability-driven leadership • Agile project management • Fast-paced execution • Independent decision-making • Client relationship management • Digital strategy • Campaign development • Holistic digital marketing execution • Content strategy.