From a Laptop
to a Full-Service Agency.
A year ago I took a wild leap into freelancing with nothing but a laptop, a head full of ideas and a stubborn northern grit. This is how NORTHERN started.
Creative Strategist.
Designer.
Straight-Talker.
Sunderland born, sea-air powered, and obsessed with helping businesses look sharper, sell more, and actually enjoy their marketing again. No nonsense. No jargon. Just proper work that moves your business forward.
Northern was built because businesses deserve better than waffle-filled marketing and confusing agency speak. You get clear plans, kind communication, and work I'd proudly put my name on.
I care about more than metrics. I care about the people behind the businesses. If you want a partner, not “just a supplier,” you're in the right place.
Dave Head — Northern Design
Recognised for excellence
Partner
Partner
Employer
Employer
Certified
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Transparency is one of our core values. Here’s everything you need to know.
We’re a full-service creative and digital marketing agency. That means SEO, PPC & Google Ads, CRO (conversion rate optimisation), web & UI design, branding & identity, videography, photography, and AI automation. Dave’s background spans all of these. He designed global hotel brands at citizenM in the Netherlands and drove +284% PPC traffic at Law Debenture in London. We look at what you actually need, not just what we can sell you.
Every project is different, so we don’t do one-size-fits-all pricing. We’ve worked with businesses of all sizes, from local cafés to FTSE 250 investment trusts. What we do promise: radical transparency. You see every penny spent, every decision made. No hidden fees, no lock-in contracts, no surprises. Book a free audit and we’ll give you an honest assessment of what’s realistic for your budget.
Wey aye. We’re proudly based in Sunderland at the Business & Innovation Centre, but we’ve worked across the UK and internationally. Dave spent two years at citizenM Hotels in the Netherlands managing design for their global portfolio, and worked in London for Law Debenture and Safecall. Great work has no postcode. We work with whoever has the ambition to grow.
It depends on the channel. Paid campaigns (Google Ads, social ads) can deliver results within weeks. At STACK Leisure we achieved CTRs of 8.75% and CPCs as low as £0.03. SEO typically takes 3–6 months to build momentum, but we’ve delivered +145% organic traffic growth within that timeframe. Website redesigns show impact fast. At Gentoo Homes, engagement time jumped 85% in four months. We set honest timelines from day one.
From day one, you own everything: your domain, your data, your accounts, your assets. No lock-in, no hidden control, no surprises. Dave started in design, moved into UI, then digital marketing. That means he can look at all aspects of your funnel and advise what you actually need, not just sell you a service. It’s human to human, not B2B. You get a bit of banter, honest advice, and work that’s coloured in properly.
Not at all. We’ve built brands for local businesses and managed campaigns for FTSE 250 companies. What matters is clear goals and the willingness to invest in growth. Sometimes the answer isn’t a big campaign. It’s better photography, a simpler website, or sorting your Google Business Profile. Book a free audit and we’ll tell you exactly where to start.
What's costing you growth?
Let's find out. For free.
Book a free 30-minute strategy audit with Dave. We'll look at your marketing, find what's not working, and tell you exactly where to focus. No waffle. Just a canny plan you can act on.
Request Your Free Audit
Takes 30 seconds. No jargon, just results.