Member Bio
Great State is a brand technology agency.
Founded in 2018, it is a merger between digital agency e3 and strategy consultancy LSU (London Strategy Unit).
We are famous for our work for brands including Honda, the Royal Navy, Capita and Orange.
“We’re called Great State because that’s technology’s promise – to create an open, united and fairer world. We focus on making a positive impact on our clients’ business, their customers and their communities.”
Staying relevant is today’s biggest business challenge. Consumers have higher expectations that ever before – driven relentlessly upwards by rapid changes in technology and fierce competition in every sector.
Even market leaders recognise that today’s magical competitive advantage will be tomorrow’s mediocre cost of entry. No wonder Jeff Bezos of Amazon talks about about customers being, “always beautifully, wonderfully dissatisfied.”
That’s why we’ve created a new type of company.
To live up to these rising expectations, companies need a partner that can transform their business.
They need an agency that can help them develop a great brand, make it real through a great experience, and deliver it at scale through great technology – a partner that can get them into a Great State.
So, we’re on a mission to keep brands relevant. To give both their owners and their consumers reasons for optimism – whether that’s at home, on the playing field, or on a naval base. We want everyone to feel they’re part of a Great State.
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.