Active support for local economic growth
One enterprise at a time
Gaining the trust of business owners is hard. Busy people need a compelling reason to engage with any form of support, and sometimes doing nothing seems like the best option.
Digital Islands is on a mission to cut through the noise and provide beautifully curated programmes of business support for independent business owners and those who aspire to running something for themselves. We work in partnership with local councils, universities and LEPs, but are driven by the needs of the enterprises we support. By collaborating with local organisations we reach deep in to the community and achieve real results.
With a team of specialists, Digital Islands can enhance the knowledge and capability of people striving to start or grow a business. Our specialists work in HR, Leadership, Marketing, Digital, Sales, Product Development, Crowd Funding, Exporting, Strategy, Branding, Design, Exporting, Finance, and other areas too. If gaps are identified, we can find the right expertise to ensure we need the needs of the business owner.
Below is a selection of the team of specialists who we work with to help pre-start, start-ups, early stage and established companies.
Rachael Dines
Rachael Dines, DipM, Chartered Marketer, has a background in marketing and PR and has 17 years experience covering both in-house and agency-side marketing. Rachael is an advisor for Enterprise Nation and a mentor for CIM studying members. Trained in digital and...
Lynda Goncalves
Lynda Gonclaves is the Managing Director of Sussex HR, and has been qualified with the CIPD since 1996. She prides herself on providing HR support to businesses in a pragmatic, friendly, and flexible support focussing on maximising the performance of their people and...
James Mackrill
James has extensive consulting experience in sales growth, business development and general management in many markets including UK, Ireland, EU, US, Middle East, N Africa, India and China. James regularly engages with companies and agencies in both domestic and...
Sam Chown
Sam Chown is a Director at Watson Associates, a well-established accountancy practice located in the heart of East Sussex. Watson Associates comprises a highly skilled team of over 70 professionals delivering trusted and timely advice to over 3,000 clients on all tax...
Julia Johnson
Julia Johnson is an experienced communications and marketing professional who has headed up marketing teams for medium and large businesses and charities in East and West Sussex. With an early career in design, advertising and marketing and at the forefront of web...
Emma Pearce
Emma is an experienced marketing consultant and has been running her marketing agency since 2008. SME clients in all sectors benefit from flexible, targeted and measurable marketing support. Helping them to feel confident and in control of their traditional and...
Market Entry to the UK
It’s important to know that for us, research goes hand in hand with supporting business development. Give me a call to discuss what it is you want to achieve – click on the menu bars in the top right of the screen and you will see my contact phone number. Alternatively complete the contact us form at the bottom of the page.
In 2019 we are working with a group of companies in Newhaven, East Sussex to help them Scale Up. See more details of this programme here
Demand Research
Demand Research is a key stage in the identification of early adopter customers, and understanding how to develop and implement a repeatable sales process.
Training and e-Learning
In addition to real world workshops and training sessions, Digital Islands works with clients to develop bespoke training and learning solutions, whether for your staff, your customers or business and channel partners. Using a variety of media formats, we will help you quickly and cost effectively design and deliver a great learning solution.
Associates
Digital Islands works with a small number of select providers, who we describe as Associates. The Associates to provide clients with a broader range of expertise, enhancing our implementation capability and capacity. Digital Islands only works on small and medium sized contracts, allowing us to select the very best partners to work with on any given project.
Our Associates Include:
A research specialist providing insights for those expanding into international markets.