Meet the team - Ultimate

We’re an expert team of designers, developers, and strategists with over 20 years in the industry.

Based in Manchester, we’re built from curated expert talent in one of the UK’s leading creative hubs. We’ve worked with some of the biggest household names, including TATA, KPMG, Carex, Chester Zoo, and Ilford Photo. Our unstoppable team of creative experts are committed to delivering the very best for your brand!

Get in touch

Richard Newman

CEO

I’ve had the privilege of leading and working with inspiring people and organisations, from lesser-known businesses employing hundreds of thousands to household names such as Microsoft, P&G, Siemens, and Sony. As CEO, I set the overall direction of the agency and lead our team. The most rewarding part is working with our people and clients to bring great ideas to life.

Before Ultimate, I served on the board of a £1 billion staffing company, was a partner at an executive search firm, and spent over a decade as a partner in a global sales performance firm, travelling over the world which shaped how I lead today!

Jon Walker

Chief Commercial Officer

I've spent my career leveraging my expertise to collaborate with various top-tier brands and organisations and spearheading a diverse range of technical projects including sophisticated apps, complex websites and 3rd party integrations to clients' backend systems and platforms.

I'm a huge lover of golf and spend my spare time trying to improve my handicap, and when I'm not at the golf course, I'm spending time with my little (not so little anymore) girl.

Matt Townsend

Chairman

I hold the position of Chairman at Ultimate, having founded the company in 1994 at the age of 19. I now lead the executive board, where I support the vision of the CEO and senior leadership team.

Over the years, I’ve held multiple leadership and board positions and have extensive experience across many sectors, including technology, creative industries, sports, performance, and well-being. Although varied in nature, they all share a common thread: a focus on entrepreneurship and the successful collaboration of exceptional people.

Stefan Crowe

Technical Director

I have worked at Ultimate for over 10 years and I head up our website development team, delving into every brief with genuine enthusiasm and grit, in order to create the best solution for our clients. When I'm not at work you'll find me spending time with my beautiful family.

Jill Sheffield

Operations Director

Before coming to Ultimate I spent 35 years in the design industry, I have been a designer, studio manager, traffic manager and operations manager. I've also got experience in photography, still life, CGI, animation, UX and web development. I'm a woman of many trades and the master of spinning plates!

My role at Ultimate is to keep all the cogs turning and to keep all jobs on time and on budget. In my spare time outside of work, I am an avid gardener and also spend lots of time with my fur babies Bill (my cat) and Ted (my dog).

Connell Byrne

Digital Solutions Lead

I've worked for Ultimate for over 4 years now and have over 10 years of experience in the digital space. My background is in project management and I help our clients to craft digital solutions and their delivery to match commercial needs and requirements.

I'm powered on lots of energy drinks as I've just had a little baby girl so unlike everyone else in the office, I don't have much spare time at the moment ha!

Sue Weighell

Finance Director

I’m a Chartered Accountant and Portfolio Finance Director, with over 35 years in the industry!

Alongside client work, I champion female entrepreneurship through Handbags & Briefcases, a supportive network helping women connect, learn, and thrive.

Natalie Whittaker

Brand and Partnerships Manager

I lead Ultimate’s own marketing strategy, from content and digital to developing partnerships that help us grow. I also look after our website, campaigns, and performance to make sure our brand is always evolving and reaching the right audiences.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me exploring Manchester with friends, getting creative with a craft project, or on stage as a professional singer. Pass the mic!

Fern Montgomery

Digital Marketing Specialist

With over 10 years of digital marketing experience, I pride myself on being able to provide clients with the ability to identify the most effective and cost efficient marketing tactics for their business! I've loved working with many different businesses from small e-commerce teams to global technology platforms.

Outside of work, the strategic thinking continues. I have a 4 year old daughter who, like all kids, challenges me on a daily basis. She sees the world in her own unique way, which often influences the way I think and make decisions too - always for the better!

Lisa Birchall-Leedham

Lead Designer

I’ve been part of Ultimate for 20 years this year and the journey has been incredible! I LOVE the kick-off of any creative or brand project. Understanding the client and getting under the skin of a brief is key to everything, once this bit is in motion the creative possibilities really open up and we can create our BEST work.

Outside of Ultimate there’s two big things for me…family life! And a new obsession with ceramics, so if I get the opportunity i’m usually creating something with clay!

Heather Brennan

Senior Designer

I joined Ultimate in 2019, and in that time I've really developed and evolved both as a person and a designer. I'm really proud of the things I’ve achieved and the projects I’ve been able to work on - from creative and branding projects, right through to full digital pieces.

Outside of work, I’m usually socialising with family or friends. If I’m not doing that, I’m finding the next thing to decorate around the house or just getting out for a nice walk in nature!

Toni Baile

Senior UI/UX Designer

I began my career in Spain 15+ years ago designing magazines primarily working in printing houses and agency environments. Graphic design was my core skill until I moved to the UK in 2015 when I took a very keen interest in interactive design, branding and digital communications. When I'm not at work I'm either cooking up a pretty good paella, or out listening to music.

Steven Malone

Senior UX/UI Designer

With a background in computer science and digital marketing, I combine technical understanding with creative problem-solving to design experiences that are both functional and visually engaging.

By blending UX strategy with an eye for detail, I’ve delivered impactful solutions for sectors including Healthcare, Hospitality, B2B SaaS, Education, Retail, and Entertainment, helping organisations improve engagement, accessibility, and user satisfaction.

Aimée Mac

Lead Developer

I have 10 years of experience in web development (always with my beloved Laravel), with a particular interest in privacy, security and accessible design. Early in my career I worked as a lecturer in cyber security and digital forensics, before making the transition into development full time.

If I'm not at work you will find me spending time with my friends, drinking copious amounts of port wine, or procuring new cats to add to my flock (5 and counting).

Aiyub Bawa

Senior Laravel Developer

I hold a degree in Software Engineering and began my career as a developer in the medical sector. Alongside this, I explored web development frameworks and quickly discovered a passion for building web applications.

This led me to pursue a full-time career in web development, where I’ve grown into a full stack developer. I enjoy working across the entire project lifecycle - from designing databases and choosing the right tech stack to implementing solutions and providing ongoing support.

Outside of work, I enjoy learning new technologies, spending time with my family, and playing badminton.

Miro Sedlacek

Senior WordPress Developer

I'm a WordPress developer - working as a developer for the past few years at Ultimate, where I've built websites for a variety of clients in lots of different sectors.

I love being able to turn coffee into code but outside of work I enjoy spending time in the studio mixing and mastering music.

Roy Ho

Full-Stack Developer

I've worked with Ultimate since 2022. An IT professional with 23 years of experience, I built my technical foundation in networking before specialising in programming. My background gives me a great understanding of both software and infrastructure.

Outside of tech, I love to play football, and I'm an avid woodworker - building a full garden table last year to play board games with my friends. I also love books and learning new things through reading.

Nathan Smith

Automations Lead

I direct AI Strategy & Automation, bringing a technical foundation in Artificial Intelligence and enterprise engineering at Siemens plc. Working alongside our clients, I architect conversational frameworks that support the vision of the senior leadership team.

Over the years, I’ve scaled an award-winning digital enterprise and have extensive experience across many sectors, including global entertainment, regional commerce, and enterprise logistics. Although varied in nature, my work shares a common thread: a focus on eliminating operational friction and scaling digital performance.

Julia Mitchell

Head of PR

I’ve spent more than 25 years helping ambitious brands, founders and leadership teams build reputations that drive real commercial growth. From fast growing start-ups and scale-ups to global technology companies and established brands.

A frustrated journalist at heart, I love turning complex stories into campaigns through PR, media relations, events, thought leadership and social media strategies amongst other things.

When I’m not at work, I’m hiking or in the gym with my music on, headphones permanently glued to my ears!

Claire Archbold

PR Lead

I specialise in PR and communications, helping businesses find the stories that will get them noticed, raise the profiles of the people behind their brands and secure meaningful media coverage. My background also spans project management, operations and business development, allowing me to bring a clear, joined-up approach to every campaign.

Outside of work, I’m usually supporting my children from the sidelines of a pitch, walking our dog or planning my next trekking adventure.

Ultimate listened to our needs and corporate goals. Their team are always very helpful, knowledgeable and able to explain things in a way we can understand. Always putting the client first, they're brilliant to work with and really feel like they are apart of our in-house team. We love working with them.”

Sarah Twist

Darwin Escapes

Meet the team!