After completing a Business Studies with Marketing degree at university, Gareth began his career in 1995 as an account handler at PDP Limited. It was here he discovered his passion for the agency world. In 1999, he joined Gratterpalm in Leeds to lead one of their biggest accounts. These formative years gave him deep insight into how agencies work from the inside – client service, creative delivery, and team leadership – laying the foundations for his future as an agency builder.
In 2002, Gareth acquired Gratterpalm in a management buyout alongside two colleagues. Over the next 15 years, he transformed the business from a family-run design agency into a fully integrated marketing agency with revenues of £12.5 million and a team of 175 people. The agency achieved major accolades and milestones along the way:
In June 2017, after 18 successful years, Gareth exited the business to begin the next chapter of his professional journey.
Following his agency exit, Gareth launched his own consultancy, Beyond Noise, where he began working one-to-one with agency owners across the UK. His work quickly extended into mentoring start-up founders, and in 2019, he was recognised as one of only four finalists for “Mentor of the Year” at The National Mentoring Awards for his involvement with TechManchester and the founder of start-up TrippTee.
In November 2021, he published his first book, STANDOUT or Die, which went on to win a Silver Medal at the Axiom Business Book Awards in Chicago. In 2022, Gareth merged Beyond Noise with Cactus Consultants Limited, where he now works as a Managing Partner, continuing to support agency leaders through strategic advice and mentorship.
Though they may seem worlds apart, Gareth sees marketing and mentoring as two sides of the same coin. Both are about understanding people, influencing behaviour, and asking the right questions. He believes great mentoring – like great marketing – starts with active listening and a deep desire to understand what really drives people.
Beyond consulting and mentoring, Gareth is also a respected judge at national and global marketing awards. He has contributed his insight and experience as a judge for:
Do you want to win some awards for your agency, but don’t know where to start? Read some of Gareth’s tips here.
Sean Gilligan talks to Marketing Expert Gareth Healey about marketing, leadership, business exits and more. Listen Here.
Agency Roadblocks (and how to avoid them) – £12M advice from Gareth Healey Listen Here.
Overview of the book STANDOUT OR DIE. Listen Here.
Gareth talks to Katie Street about creating a thriving digital agency. Listen Here.
Growth tactics, culture, positive mindset and, of course, STANDOUT OR DIE. Listen Here.
Gareth Healey on his book STANDOUT OR DIE. Listen Here.
Gareth talks to Manni Singh about his book STANDOUT OR DIE. Listen Here.
Gareth talks to Martin Henley about the power of focus. Listen Here.
CEO Manni Singh discusses the future outlook for digital agencies with agency growth coach Gareth Healey. Listen Here.
If you’d like Gareth to appear on your podcast, panel or event, get in touch. He speaks regularly on agency growth, positioning, and the impact of AI on the marketing agency sector.
Gareth now works exclusively with owner-directors of independent marketing agencies across the UK with revenues between £400k–£4M.
His consultancy is designed to help them regain clarity, build strategic momentum, and grow with purpose.
He doesn’t deliver templated answers – he asks the questions that create better decisions and more confident leadership.
You’ve read my story – now let’s talk about yours.
If any part of my story resonates, you’ll likely recognise the challenges I help agency owners tackle every day. Discover the kinds of businesses I advise – and why the fit matters.
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