Mike Stevenson // Managing Director
A senior marketing professional for more then twenty years who has worked with some of the leading brand names in the UK - including Marks and Spencer, BHS, BskyB, Standard Life, AXA Insurance and Scottish and Southern Energy.
From increasing footfall and basket values across 12 Marks and Spencer stores to doubling attendance at Edinburgh’s International Jazz Festival, Mike retains a ferocious drive to succeed for his clients. Clients only judge the agency’s contribution by results achieved. That is the philosophy that has driven Design Links since it was founded in 1994. Mike has steered Design Links to nine Communicators in Business Awards and an Institute of Public Relations Campaign Award – this latter in recognition of the agency’s Edinburgh Foster Care campaign that increased the number of foster carers recruited by 40% within a year.
His success in regeneration marketing means he is now regarded as a pioneer in this field and he is advisor on marketing to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in York. A former steelworker, Mike believes passionately in the power of individuals to achieve far beyond their own, sometimes limited, expectations. Much of his work with Design Links’ clients is underpinned by a determination to use marketing as a driver of cultural change.
Mike was until recently chair of Leith FM, Edinburgh’s newest radio venture - under his tenure the station received a five-year licence from Ofcom. He is Chair of Youth Coach Scotland and sits on the advisory board of Common Purpose. He is founder of Talking up for a Change – a new movement aimed at promoting positivity, ambition and innovation in Scotland – and a much sought after motivational speaker.
