Why CEEK Founder, Charlie Terry thinks that progression comes from in person connection

Charlie Terry founded CEEK in 2016 and has built it into a Soho-based digital marketing agency running social, search, paid media, influencer and CRM campaigns for brands including The Savoy, Deliciously Ella and Purplebricks.

In February 2026, as the business entered its tenth year, CEEK reported 50 per cent year-on-year growth for 2025 and appointed Grace Flusfeder as head of social and creative. The agency now employs more than 20 people and also has offices in Brighton and Manchester.

Here he tells Business Matters what the pandemic taught him and why founders cannot afford to neglect their own health.

What do you currently do at CEEK?

I am the founder and managing director of CEEK, a digital marketing agency delivering omnichannel campaigns across social, search, paid media, influencer marketing and CRM for brands including The Savoy, MITSU London, Deliciously Ella and Mogu Mogu. I founded CEEK in 2016, and a decade later it has established a reputation across the hospitality, fashion, technology and travel industries. Last year we grew by 50 per cent, and the team is now more than 20 people.

My role is to set the direction and ensure all our work aligns with clients’ strategies and business goals. Day to day, that means communicating with clients and the team to make sure our strategies and content are on track, as well as staying up to date on the industry and where it is heading.

What was the inspiration behind your business?

Before starting CEEK, I had already built businesses where there was a marketing element at their core, even when it did not say so or was not the main focus. Those experiences showed me the importance of marketing to every business, especially in today’s society.

I wanted to build an agency where we could work with interesting and exciting brands that were changing, influencing or leading their industry. To date, I am glad to say we have done that, and hopefully we will continue to do so.

Who do you admire?

My algorithm serves me all sorts of entrepreneurs. Of the people I listen to most right now, number one is Emma Grede. I think she is amazing. I love her philosophy. She is an absolute beast.

Number two, partly because he is in London at the moment, is Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan. I really like listening to him and his philosophies, and he is very smart on the macroeconomic outlook. I would say they are probably the top two I am listening to at the moment.

But honestly, I am surrounded by amazing operators and founders, and I learn a lot from my team on a day-to-day basis as well.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

Looking back, there have been big highs and some tough lows, but ultimately I have learnt so much about what works and what does not. Those tougher moments have shaped the business and helped me grow as a leader.

During the pandemic in particular, I was lucky to have wanted the agency to be cross-sector rather than focused on one industry. That decision helped the business tremendously.

Aside from the business, I wish I had done more earlier to look after myself first. Now I focus on my physical and mental health by getting enough sleep, taking care of my body, eating a healthy diet and spending time with family and friends.

You cannot be a good leader or team player if you are not looking after yourself. It is easy, especially as a founder, to become so fixated on work that you neglect those things, but it is absolutely key to prioritise them and stick to them.

What defines your way of doing business?

I try to lead by example. The culture and tone I set for the business is what separates you from others, and I would not ask the team to do a task I would not do myself. That means being present with the team and keeping communication open, because things in marketing can change constantly.

I also believe in building genuine relationships with clients and the team. We work best when clients see us as an extension of their business, a support arm that wants them to succeed and reach their goals.

The marketing industry is constantly evolving, so it is always important for my team and me to stay as creative and collaborative as possible to stay ahead of the game.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Get stuck in. Learn from your peers and ask them questions. Marketing is an industry that is always changing and continually adapting to new trends and developments in technology, such as the rise of AI visibility for brands or the growth of the creator economy.

Those small everyday moments, such as being invited on to a client call or getting some quick feedback on an idea, are where the real learning happens, not away from the office or the team.