Sam Nichols
Bude
Summary
Sam Nichols has thrived in various sectors as a self-starting, team-leading and passionate professional at all levels. She is equally at home in a boardroom or fulfilling administrative duties, a true team player committed to making the most of all opportunities in a work environment. Sam took a career change to the charity sector last year in order to work more flexibly which she is loving but she still works one day a week as a consultant due to the salary implications of working for the charity. Sam is looking for a position where she can manage a good work-life balance, use all her professional skills identified here but at a salary level that does not require additional consultancy work for financial reasons.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Water Quality App Manager
Surfers Against Sewage
01.2024 - Current
- Long admired this fantastic charity and spotted a fixed-term position that blended my professional skills with my personal interest in the environment and sustainability
- Responsible for the Safer Seas and Rivers Service APP and manage its team in-house as well as expert contractors to deliver a 24/7 real-time alert system to inform its now 300,000 + users of their public health risk when entering recreational waters.
- Developed strategic plan and working on funding and partnership opportunities.
- In the last 12 months, I have held meetings with the CEOs of six of the UK water companies to call for data transparency, presented to South West Water's management team and working with both environmental NGOs, environmental organisations, environmental technology companies and public health bodies to develop the APP and its influence, scope and reach.
- I project managed the Ripple Effect: SAS Citizen Science water quality report in December working across our in-house teams and our Comms agency to create a meaningful moment to shine a light on our work in this area.
- In January 2025 I am responsible for launching the SAS Data HQ as an open access data platform inviting communities and the media to join us in the open data discussion on citizen science water quality. This project was a germ of an idea when I joined in January 2025. I saw its potential, put forward a fully-costed plan to the Leadership Team and brought teams together to make it happen. (This was actually outside my role description.)
- Sit on the Sewage Pollution Steering Group to drive strategic direction in this impact area
- As part of the Campaigns and Policy team, embedding the need to engage, empower and mobilise through the SSRS APP and upcoming SAS DATA HQ.
Business and Marketing Consultant
Freelance
05.2023 - 01.2024
- Worked as a consultant with an established APP and website design and build outfit, working through routes to market, led three strategy workshops and managed projects as required.
Group Marketing Director
Seiche Water Technology Group
06.2022 - 02.2023
- Stepped back from Chief Operating Officer role due to serious injury - now fully recovered - and fulfilled previous position (see below in Experience)
- Spearheaded re-focus of strategic direction of the companies to maximise offerings for Offshore Wind, Low Cost Data Loggers and Real-Time Sound Measurement and Visual Technologies using AI
Chief Operating Officer
Seiche Water Technology Group
02.2021 - 05.2022
- Company Overview: Seiche Water Technology Group comprises four UK-based companies working in the marine and utilities' sectors with worldwide reach whose mission statement is: "Advancing technology and service solutions to promote and protect the Environment" (www.seiche.com is the main revenue-driving company)
- Fulfilled all organisational duties of COO role including: preparing for ISO 9001 for the Group and successful in achieving this standard for one of the companies in 6 months; brought in Salesforce system for the Group to streamline BD and Sales functions; prepared detailed 3 and 5 year plans for business growth with CEO and Financial Director
- Hired, trained, evaluated and retained high-performing, effective and diverse team
- Cultivated and maintained strong industry relationships and customer partnerships
- Represented the Group at industry, academic and government events across marine and water sectors
- Seiche Water Technology Group comprises four UK-based companies working in the marine and utilities' sectors with worldwide reach whose mission statement is: "Advancing technology and service solutions to promote and protect the Environment" (www.seiche.com is the main revenue-driving company)
Group Marketing Director
Seiche Water Technology Group
09.2017 - 01.2021
- Responsible for commercial and marketing strategy in line with business strategy, responsible for all commercial budgets and marketing delivery including market research, supporting product development with market analysis, price points, content creation, all collateral design and print, events and workshops, digital and online marketing, B2B and B2C product launches
- Working internally with all engineering, sales, HR, operations and administration teams as well as academic partners, regulators, clients and contractors to ensure effective working, on-brief projects and good communication
- In conjunction with Financial Director, responsible for forecasting trends in expected business levels and adjustment of labour and inventory for the Group
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Freelance
10.2009 - 08.2017
- I shaped and implemented various companies' marketing, communications and business strategy where I presented and delivered marketing plans and budgets, reporting as client required on all activity for B2B and B2C activity as appropriate
- Previous clients include divisions at Samsung and Siemens
- In this period, I also travelled through three continents in three years and had two children when we came back to the UK in 2013
Managing Director
Momentum Pictures
06.2007 - 06.2009
- Company Overview: Running the UK division of this expanding international entertainment company owned by Goldman Sachs
- With a turnover of £30 million and Finance, HR, Sales, Theatrical, DVD, TV and New Media reporting to me, the UK became the second largest territory across the company and won several marketing awards
- Running the UK division of this expanding international entertainment company owned by Goldman Sachs
Senior Vice President, Distribution
Momentum Pictures
08.2005 - 05.2007
- Overseeing Sales, Marketing and Publicity departments and distributing an average of 15 films per year with advertising budgets ranging from £1,000 to £3 million
- Developing and nurturing key partnerships with sales agents, international distributors, producers and directors on behalf of the international business group
Head of Distribution
Momentum Pictures
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Similar to above with a 15-strong team
- Keeping business unit intact and profitable through a reverse management buyout and company re-structure
Head of Marketing
Momentum Pictures
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Managing a team of 5 in-house staff and up to 10 specialist agencies at any one time
- Devised and oversaw all UK marketing strategy and campaigns including all planning, budgets, P&Ls, creative (print, audio and AV), production, media-buying, promotions (above and below the line), sponsorship, web activity, research and testing, government loans and subsidies
Marketing Assistant, Marketing Manager
Alliance Atlantis
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Responsible for full range of marketing activities and honed skills of executing profitable campaigns with creative flair, on time and within budget
Education
BA - French and Spanish
University of Durham
01.2006
PERSONAL
Living with her two children and husband in Bude, Cornwall, Sam is an active member of her local Surf Life Saving Club, as well as volunteering and supporting local environmental initiatives, and raising money through film screenings., Previously (pre-children!) Sam participated in self-supported expeditions crossing Greenland's Ice Cap well as climbing in the Himalayas, summitting Mera Peak and trekking in Pakistan to K2 base camp.
Timeline
Water Quality App Manager
Surfers Against Sewage
01.2024 - Current
Business and Marketing Consultant
Freelance
05.2023 - 01.2024
Group Marketing Director
Seiche Water Technology Group
06.2022 - 02.2023
Chief Operating Officer
Seiche Water Technology Group
02.2021 - 05.2022
Group Marketing Director
Seiche Water Technology Group
09.2017 - 01.2021
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Freelance
10.2009 - 08.2017
Managing Director
Momentum Pictures
06.2007 - 06.2009
Senior Vice President, Distribution
Momentum Pictures
08.2005 - 05.2007
Head of Distribution
Momentum Pictures
01.2003 - 01.2005
Head of Marketing
Momentum Pictures
01.2000 - 01.2003
Marketing Assistant, Marketing Manager
Alliance Atlantis
01.1997 - 01.2000
BA - French and Spanish
University of Durham