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Chris Shelbourn
Head of Technical SEO - WMG Agency / Ingenuity Digital (Part of the IDHL Group)
Professional Background
Chris Shelbourn is a seasoned digital marketing professional with an impressive career spanning over 13 years. He specializes in planning and managing comprehensive digital marketing campaigns, with a strong focus on search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, content marketing, digital PR, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and social media management. His expertise extends across local, national, and international markets, empowering clients to enhance their online presence and achieve their marketing objectives.
In his current role as Head of Technical SEO at WMG Agency, Chris manages a talented team of 20 technical SEO specialists across the Harrogate and Manchester offices. Their collective portfolio includes over 100 clients, featuring numerous prestigious international blue-chip companies. His leadership capabilities are underscored by his day-to-day management of the technical SEO team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development within the department.
Chris's multifaceted responsibilities encompass not only overseeing campaign performance but also ensuring the professional growth of his team members. He dedicates time to training and mentoring, devising tailored training programs that equip team members with the skills needed to thrive in a fast-paced digital landscape. Monthly one-on-one appraisals allow Chris to monitor individual performance and set personalized development goals for each specialist, creating an environment supportive of growth and excellence.
A vital aspect of Chris's role involves business development, where he leverages existing client relationships to explore new business opportunities. His impressive track record in enhancing operational processes for the wider SEO department—comprising over 80 professionals across technical, outreach, content writing, creative, and digital PR disciplines—demonstrates his commitment to improving efficiency and performance within the organization.
Chris actively participates in performance monitoring and internal reporting, providing insightful updates to IDHL Group directors and senior management. He maintains close communications with clients, ensuring their needs are met through effective account management and fostering long-term relationships built on trust and results-oriented strategies. His deep understanding of the digital landscape enables him to develop and implement innovative digital marketing strategies tailored to suit clients’ objectives.
In terms of technical proficiency, Chris is adept at formulating Google EAT compliant content strategies and has significant experience in identifying and recovering from various types of Google penalties, including those stemming from Panda, Penguin, and manual reviews. His expertise is further validated by his Google Analytics IQ certification, which attests to his advanced knowledge of performance tracking and insights generation using Google Analytics and Search Console tools.
Education and Achievements
Chris Shelbourn holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Events Management from Leeds Metropolitan University, which has facilitated a comprehensive understanding of event-driven marketing strategies and their implementation within the digital sphere. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Leeds, laying a strong foundation in critical thinking and analytical abilities that further enhance his approach to digital marketing and SEO strategies.
Before embarking on his professional journey, Chris completed his secondary education at Penistone Grammar School, where he likely cultivated the foundational skills that would later propel him into a successful career in marketing and SEO. His educational background, combined with his practical experience, has equipped him with the competencies to tackle a wide range of challenges in the competitive digital marketing landscape.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Chris has achieved notable milestones that reflect his commitment to excellence in the digital marketing domain. Key achievements include:
- Successfully managing and leading a high-performing technical SEO team responsible for optimizing over 100 client accounts, including international blue-chip organizations.
- Designing and implementing an effective training and development framework for technical SEO team members, significantly improving team performance and individual skill sets.
- Developing and executing innovative digital strategies that comply with Google EAT guidelines, boosting clients’ online credibility and search performance.
- Conducting comprehensive Google penalty identification and recovery processes, leading to successful recoveries from numerous penalties that benefited client visibility and web traffic.
- Consistently enhancing operational processes and efficiencies within the wider SEO team, playing a critical role in overall organizational success within WMG Agency.
Overall, Chris Shelbourn’s extensive experience, combined with his commitment to professional development and operational excellence, establishes him as a thought leader in the digital marketing industry. His ability to lead teams, manage complex campaigns, and foster client relationships continues to drive impressive results for WMG Agency, solidifying his status as a highly respected professional in the field.
