Gillian Bardsley
Fractional Marketing Support
Meet Gillian Bardsley, marketing professional based in Rochdale near Manchester. Your Fractional Marketing Director. Making marketing work for your business.
Fractional marketing leadership for businesses that need clarity, not chaos.
Hi, I’m Gillian Bardsley, a fractional marketing director who brings together strategy, design and delivery in one practical, senior-level package.
I work with founders and leadership teams who know their business has potential, but whose marketing feels reactive, inconsistent, or overly complicated. Maybe you’ve outgrown ad-hoc freelancers, maybe you dont need (or want) a full-time hire, or maybe you just need someone experienced to steady the ship, provide direction, and make things actually happen.
Why choose me as your fractional marketing support?
I’ve spent years sitting in the marketer’s seat – balancing budgets, time, stakeholder pressures, and the need to show real results.
I’m also a designer at heart, which means I don’t just talk strategy, I make sure that it translates into clear messaging, strong visuals, and assets that work hard across your website, sales process, and content.
As your fractional marketing director, I help you:
- Get clear on your positioning and priorities
- Turn complex offers into simple, compelling messages
- Connect strategy with execution, seamlessly guiding your team
I’m hands-on when needed, strategic where it counts, and always focused on making your marketing work for your business.
I’m part of your team – without the full-time overhead.
What does fractional marketing support look like?
Brand & positioning clarity
When your messaging feels fuzzy, marketing becomes hard work. I help you define who you’re for, what you stand for, and how to articulate your value in a way that feels natural and compelling. The result is clear positioning, confident language, and a message your whole business can get behind — not just something that looks good on paper.
Content & communication
I help turn expertise into clear, consistent communication across your website, content and sales activity. By shaping themes, tone and messaging, I make sure everything sounds like it’s coming from the same confident voice. No posting for the sake of it — just purposeful communication that builds trust and momentum over time.
Design-led marketing support
I create or guide the design of practical, on-brand marketing assets that are easy to use and easy to maintain. From Canva systems to campaign visuals, everything is designed to support your message and save you time.
Advice & mentoring
Sometimes you don’t need someone to do the work — you need someone experienced to think it through with you. I offer flexible advisory support for founders, marketing managers and sales leaders who want a trusted sounding board, clearer direction, and the confidence to make better marketing decisions without second-guessing.
My life in marketing…
2019 - Present
Founder
The Design Grove
Working as a freelance marketing consultant for small to medium sized organisations, helping them realise their full potential as a brand. Take a look at my work here: www.thedesigngrove.com
2010-2019
Marketing & Internal Communications Manager
Ferranti Technologies
Lead for internal communications, developing people and promoting the culture, mission, vision & values using the full range of communication tools available. Lead for all external marketing activity including brand management, design of collateral, event management and website management.
2008-2010
Senior Marketing Executive
Howorth Air Technologies
All group communications both internal and external including collateral management, event organisation, website & intranet development. Manage the company rebrand.
2006-2008
BD Support Manager
APCOA Parking
Running a team of bid support managers, supporting PQQ and tender delivery. Alongside implementation of the Marketing Communications plan including collateral management, event organisation, website & CRM system development.