about | We Are SMC

Growth partners for trades and construction businesses.

We help plumbers build predictable lead flow. We help construction companies build brands that win bigger contracts. That’s all we do.

Built for your world

We only work with two types of business:

Plumbing and heating companies ready to grow beyond word of mouth. You’re good at what you do, but you’re still chasing the next job. You want predictable leads, a brand that works without you, and eventually – the freedom to step back from the tools.

Construction and civil engineering businesses that deserve to win bigger contracts. You deliver excellent work, but your brand doesn’t reflect it. Procurement teams can’t see your quality online. You want a presence that opens doors.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

If you’re looking for a generalist agency that works with anyone who’ll pay – we’re not it.

We’ve chosen these markets because we understand them deeply, and that focus is what makes us effective.

Why I built this agency

We Are SMC exists because trades and construction businesses deserve better than what most marketing agencies offer.

Most agencies don’t understand your world. They don’t know that plumbers have been burned by promises of “guaranteed leads.” They don’t understand that construction procurement teams research you online before they ever call. They push tactics without strategy, take the money, and move on.

We started this agency to do it differently.

I’ve spent 20+ years working with trades businesses – including as Brand and Marketing Director at Vanarama, a £50m company that was later acquired by AutoTrader. I’ve sat at the board table. I learned what it takes to build a business that’s actually worth something. And I’ve seen, repeatedly, that great tradespeople and contractors struggle to communicate their value.

That's the gap We Are SMC fills.

We’re not here to run your ads for a few months and disappear. We’re here to build marketing systems that become assets – things that generate value while you focus on what you’re actually good at.

What does SMC stand for?

Strategy. Marketing. Conversion.

It’s the order that matters. Strategy first – understanding where you’re going and why. Marketing second – building the brand and presence to get you there. Conversion third – turning attention into leads, leads into customers, customers into advocates.

Most agencies skip straight to tactics. We don’t.

How we think at We Are SMC (and why it matters for you)

We fix foundations before we turn on the tap.

Most businesses aren’t ready for ads. If your website doesn’t convert, if your reputation isn’t visible, if your positioning is “quality, reliability, experience” like everyone else – you’re just burning money. We build the foundations first. Then we drive traffic.

Marketing is an investment, not a cost.

When you make that shift, everything changes. You stop seeing marketing as money going out and start seeing it as building something valuable – an asset that works while you sleep, that makes your business worth more when you want to step back.

There are no silver bullets.

Building trust takes time. Building a brand takes time. Anyone promising quick fixes is selling something that won’t last. We’d rather tell you the truth and build something real.

The team behind We Are SMC

When you work with We Are SMC, you get a dedicated team with specialist expertise in every area that matters. No junior account managers learning on your budget. No generalists pretending to know your industry.

STEVE MARK

Founder & Strategy Lead

Steve leads client strategy and relationships. With 20+ years in marketing – including board-level experience at a £50m business – he brings perspective that most agency owners simply don’t have. He completed Mark Ritson’s Mini MBA in Marketing and Brand Management, trained in business growth through the Scaling Up programme, and has worked with trades and construction businesses throughout his career.

Steve works directly with every client. No handoffs to people you’ve never met.

What this means for you: Strategic direction from someone who’s operated at the level you’re trying to reach.

KIRSTEN MARK

Marketing Manager

Kirsten manages the marketing execution that brings strategies to life. CIM qualified, she handles campaign management, content creation, and the day-to-day work that keeps your marketing engine running. She ensures nothing falls through the cracks and that every piece of work meets our standards.

What this means for you: Professional execution by a qualified marketer, not an intern learning the basics.

REGAN STOKES

Video Production

Regan leads all video production – from promotional films to social content. He brings professional equipment, creative direction, and an understanding that trades businesses need to show the quality of their work, not just talk about it. Video is increasingly essential for differentiation, and Regan ensures our clients have it.

What this means for you: Professional video that makes you stand out, included in your programme – not an expensive extra.

MATT FOWELL

Paid Ads Manager

Matt manages all Google Ads campaigns for our clients. A specialist who focuses exclusively on paid search, he brings the depth of expertise that generalists can’t match. He’s managed campaigns for trades businesses for years and knows exactly what works (and what wastes money) in local service advertising.

What this means for you: Your ad budget managed by a specialist, not someone who “also does” Google Ads.

What it's like to work with us?

We become part of your team.

This isn’t a relationship where you brief us and wait for deliverables. We work alongside you – understanding your business, your challenges, your goals. Monthly calls. Direct access. Honest conversations about what’s working and what isn’t.

We tell you the truth.

If something isn’t working, we’ll say so. If we think you’re making a mistake, we’ll push back. If we’re not the right fit for what you need, we’ll tell you that too. We’d rather have the difficult conversation than waste your money.

We're in it for the long term.

Our best client relationships are measured in years, not months. Jordan at Videtta – five years. PKB Civils – ongoing. We’re not interested in quick wins that don’t last. We’re interested in building something sustainable.