About GEL Studios.

Graeme Leighfield.

Managing Director & Founder.

Graeme isn’t just our founder - he’s a force of nature, driven by creativity, purpose, and an unwavering belief in doing things the right way.

Leading with passion, Graeme pushes creative boundaries while keeping people at the heart of everything he does. His energy is contagious, his dedication unmatched, and his commitment to making a difference is what sets him apart. Beyond the studio, Graeme is a family man, Marvel superfan, and has an undeniable obsession with the colour green.

The G to our GEL, the Iron Man to our Avengers… the team at GEL Studios wouldn’t have him any other way!

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Carly Smith.

Creative Director.

As GEL Studios' creative director, Carly has an unmatched ability to turn challenges into creative triumphs. Her knack for asking the right questions ensures that both client goals and audience experience are always at the forefront of every project.

With experience spanning both design and project execution, she uniquely balances artistic vision with strategic planning - ensuring projects are not only visually compelling but also delivered efficiently and effectively to meet both creative and business objectives.

Collaboration is at the heart of Carly’s approach. She works closely with design, development, and marketing teams to ensure the creative vision is upheld throughout every project or campaign, bringing cohesion and impact to every detail.

A passionate traveller, Disney enthusiast, and advocate for creativity that sparks joy at every turn, Carly infuses each project with the “Joie de vivre” she brings to everything she does. Her designs aren’t just creations - they’re vibrant reflections of her limitless imagination and contagious energy.

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David Golding.

Head of Sales & Client Success.

David recently joined GEL Studios, where he focuses on developing client services and building long-lasting commercial partnerships.

He thrives on delivering tailored solutions for clients and fostering meaningful relationships that provide lasting value for both clients and the agency. With a decade of experience in business growth and client strategy, David’s background includes running his own company and holding senior roles in multiple businesses. His blend of commercial insight and industry expertise ensures clients feel secure, understood, and supported from day one.

Based in Cheltenham, David spends his free time with his children and volunteering at his local church. He enjoys walking in the Malverns with his friends and Border Terrier, Murphy. His other hobbies include cycling, working out, and piling the calories back on at one of Cheltenham's restaurants!

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Lewis Moran.

Digital Marketing Manager.

Lewis is a dedicated Digital Marketing Manager who thrives on goal-setting and delivering measurable results. With a sharp eye for spotting hidden opportunities, he creates strategic roadmaps that blend diverse marketing tactics to drive sustainable success.

An expert in all things marketing - from SEO and PPC to multi-channel campaigns - Lewis works closely with the entire team to ensure every strategy is executed effectively. He’s passionate about tracking performance, analysing data, and refining approaches to maximise return on investment for clients. By aligning goals with meaningful metrics, he helps businesses achieve tangible, long-term growth.

When he’s not mapping out campaigns, Lewis is likely enjoying a cold IPA at a gig or festival, catching up with friends, or visiting family scattered across Norfolk, Kent, and Essex. And if you can’t find him there, you’ll probably spot him chasing his energetic two-year-old son Alfie around the local soft play or park!

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Beth Wakefield.

Creative Strategist.

Beth is a strategist and content expert, seamlessly blending creative thinking with technical expertise. From SEO/GEO optimisation and thought leadership to website management and social media, she ensures every idea reaches its full potential.

With experience in both industry and academia, Beth has refined her expertise in marketing and graphic design while working with B2B and B2C agencies, as well as start-ups. Her time as a university lecturer reinforced her belief in the power of smart, well-crafted campaigns - giving her a unique perspective that strengthens her strategic approach and ability to collaborate across the team at GEL Studios.
 
When she’s not strategising, you can find her at your local Everyman Cinema watching a horror film or at home building a Lego set she swears was “essential” for her collection…

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Elisha Elliott.

Senior Creative.

Since joining us as a junior designer, Elisha has never looked back - growing into a key team member with a sharp eye for detail and a proactive, ultra-creative mindset.

She has a talent for creating designs that truly resonate with target audiences, overseeing the full design process from concept to execution and print management. Whether she’s crafting the perfect logo, designing eye-catching vehicle graphics, or managing a project with precision, her work always stands out. Elisha also has a particular flair for illustration - her sketchbook is never far away, ready to capture fresh ideas that bring creativity to life.

Simply put: if you need outstanding design, you NEED Elisha.

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Dani Wilkinson.

Senior Creative.

Dani is a highly skilled designer with an exceptional eye for detail and a true dedication to the brief. Passionate about delivering fresh, original ideas, she brings a wealth of knowledge and over a decade of hands-on experience to our team.

Her career spans a wide variety of industries, where she has tackled both challenging and inspiring projects. From crafting bespoke websites and digital applications to developing striking branding, social media graphics, and campaign work, Dani consistently creates work that is both visually compelling and strategically effective. With her expertise in UX and UI design, she ensures that every project not only looks outstanding but also delivers measurable results.

Beyond her design work, Dani finds balance in life by staying active through swimming and long dog walks, enjoying time with friends and family, and indulging in quiet moments at home with a good book or a puzzle.

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Robbie Climance.

Marketing Executive.

Robbie is driven by a genuine passion for helping clients grow. Since starting out as a Digital Marketing Apprentice, he’s built a strong, adaptable skill set across the marketing mix - from crafting standout social media strategies to running high-impact Meta ad campaigns. He’s also experienced in email marketing, graphic design, and building brand consistency across channels.

What sets Robbie apart is his enthusiasm for learning and creativity - traits that also fuel his passion for music production, where he spends much of his free time experimenting with sound. Away from his laptop, he enjoys catching up with friends and family, playing basketball, following football, and travelling to new places to experience different cultures.

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Mariah Roberts.

Website Developer.

A self-taught developer, Mariah has spent years honing her craft, continually expanding her knowledge and skillset. She thrives on creative challenges - those moments that push developers to think differently and use code in imaginative, unconventional ways. Detail-oriented and proactive, Mariah is always spotting opportunities, big or small, to enhance a build and elevate the final product.

When she’s not crafting websites, Mariah enjoys crafting in the literal sense - often pairing a great film or series with sewing, knitting, or crochet. In quieter moments, she can be found baking homemade bread or sweet treats, bringing the same care and creativity from her work into the kitchen.

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Charlotte Barltrop.

Executive Assistant.

Charlotte helps our team maintain our flow and organisation by efficiently handling day-to-day admin and logistics, always ensuring there's a friendly voice at the end of the phone to assist when needed. Whether it's managing schedules or keeping everything running smoothly, she makes sure we're on track and ready for what’s next.

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