About

Paul Hailes

Helping businesses build, grow and maintain their online presence through professional websites, effective SEO and ongoing digital support.

I help businesses communicate more effectively, build stronger brands and make the most of digital technology.

I work with businesses of all sizes to create professional websites, improve their visibility through SEO, and provide the ongoing support that helps them grow online. While many clients first come to me for a website, the relationship often develops into trusted, long-term digital support.

Before founding PHD in 2016, I was Head of Design at marketing agency GFM, leading creative projects for organisations including Sky, News UK, The Telegraph, the British Horseracing Authority and Northern Rail.

Earlier in my career I spent almost 15 years working with Cable & Wireless, supporting their headquarters in London, the regional office in the Cayman Islands and several international subsidiaries, including Hong Kong Telecom. Working within their marketing and communications teams, I was involved in advertising, corporate communications and publishing for one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies.

One of my principal responsibilities was producing Cable & Wireless’ global employee magazine, working alongside the editorial team to create and distribute a monthly publication for circa 35,000 employees worldwide. This included sole responibility for managing translation, production and print of a Chinese-language edition in partnership with a publisher in Hong Kong.

One of the most rewarding chapters of my career was establishing and running CardEx, an international exhibition and publishing business focused on payment card technology. The annual exhibitions were held at major venues in Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne and San Francisco, bringing together global organisations from across the telecoms and technology sector. Alongside the exhibitions, I also launched and published an international industry magazine, giving me first-hand experience of building a business, creating marketing strategies and understanding what it takes to engage an audience.

Those experiences continue to shape the way I work today. I don’t just build websites, I look at the bigger picture. Whether it’s improving search visibility, simplifying a customer journey, advising on digital marketing or helping choose the right technology, my aim is always the same: to help business build a stronger online presence.

Based in Wivenhoe, near Colchester, I work with ambitious start-ups, growing businesses and established organisations across the UK. Clients value having direct access to one experienced professional who understands both the creative and technical sides of digital marketing and is there to provide practical advice long after a website goes live.

When you work with me, you’ll deal directly with me from start to finish. No account managers, no outsourcing, just honest advice, thoughtful solutions and a long-term commitment to helping your business succeed online.