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Member Bio
Hello, we’re Great State – a proudly independent customer experience agency. We help ambitious brands anticipate change, stay ahead, and deliver impact that lasts.
Our 90-strong team blends deep expertise in engineering, UX, strategy, and creativity. But it’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that makes the difference.
We don’t settle; we push for better answers, challenging ourselves and our clients to explore new ideas grounded in insight and strategy. We’re all accountable; from engineers to creatives, we own the outcomes together, working as one team with our clients.
We aim high, combining creativity with technical rigour to design standout experiences that scale. And we’re good people – empathy, curiosity, and respect fuel our collaborations and make progress inevitable.
Customer expectations are transforming faster than ever. Each generation expects more than the last – they spend differently, learn differently, live differently. And there’s no turning back.
Every shift accelerates the gap between expectation and experience. That’s why we’re obsessed with creating experiences that are seamless, personal, and connected. That’s what it takes to earn loyalty and help brands thrive.
Next generation experiences aren’t just nice to have – they’re non-negotiable. That’s how we’re closing the gap. Now, and for generations to come.
Key People
Stuart Avery | Chairman & Co-founder
I co-founded the agency in 1997, starting as joint MD then becoming sole MD in 2008. In my time at Great State I have overseen it’s growth from a startup, to a highly profitable 70 strong, strategic agency with multiple offices working with major brands including the Royal Navy, Orange, The National Trust, BP and Clarks to name only a few. Alongside running Great State day to day I have seen the business through two rounds of major change. The first in 2000 was to introduce new finance from angel investors, then negotiating and project managing an MBO in 2009 to buy out those investors. After appointing a new MD in 2012 to run the agency I now perform the role of non-exec Chairman on a part time basis.
David Chandler
I stepped into the role of Joint Managing Director at Great State in November 2023. I have over 20 years’ experience across various agencies, driving innovation and quality output that creates impact. I collaborate and challenge our clients and internal teams to go beyond their comfort zone, engaging with them on a strategic level. I’m passionate about leading an agency that delivers enhanced digital customer experiences. My main driver is to ensure that we surpass the award-winning standards that clients like the Royal Navy, Capita, Honda, and the University of York have come to expect from us. In my role, I work closely with senior stakeholders to develop and implement our business strategy – achieving ambitious revenue and margin targets while maintaining excellent quality of output for our clients. During my career I’ve worked for some of the world’s largest brands including Samsung, Coca-Cola, Microsoft and BMW. As well as heading up multi award winning campaigns, highlights of his career include working on London Olympic campaigns for Coca-Cola and leading a team to win the Grand Prix at the 2023 Digital Impact Awards.
Jinny Mitchell-Kent
I have over 18 years’ experience in digital agencies working with global brands such as Dyson, Fiat, Rolls-Royce, Bupa and Beiersdorf; and a long heritage working with government and defence clients. In November 2023 I stepped into the role of Joint Managing Director, together with David. My experience is founded in project, programme and client management, developing into operations and agency management over the years. My cumulative experience working in senior agency roles enables me to think innovatively and creatively when it comes to delivering value and impact. I joined Great State as COO and four years on, I have stepped up to the role of joint Managing Director. After a decade focusing on programme and client management, I’m looking forward to pushing further – continuing to deliver greater operational solutions and even greater innovation from our brilliant teams across the agency. Today, I work closely with senior stakeholders to develop and implement our business strategy – achieving ambitious revenue and margin targets while maintaining excellent quality of output for our clients. I’m motivated to be an open, inclusive and respectful leader. There’s no great work without great people, and I endeavour to build working relationships built on respect and open opportunity. I’m passionate about helping to improve diversity and inclusion in our industry and aim to do this through my work and partnerships with organisations like BIMA, Women in Tech and SheCanCode.