Oliver Bishop founded STEAK in 2005 with co-founder Duncan Parry after citing a gap in the market for servicing clients on a different level than was currently offered. He has since grown the Group to become an award-winning, international digital agency spanning three continents. More recently he has seen STEAK become part of the Dentsu Network - the fifth largest marketing communications company in the world, with over 100 offices in 27 countries.

Prior to STEAK, Oliver played a pivotal role launching Espotting Media in 11 European countries and was involved in their merger with US search company FindWhat. Voted by industry magazine Media Week as one of the "Magnificent 30" (30 media professionals to watch under the age of 30), featured in the Revolution 'One to Watch', and voted Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year. Oliver's entrepreneurial achievements have been recognised with several accolades.

“STEAK is built around solid core values - integrity, partnership, restless minds and meritocracy. The result is a distinct culture shaped by its founders, supported by its people and admired by the industry.”

Duncan began his career in financial services, before deciding aged 19 to enter the nascent digital industry; he saw a parallel with the beginning of the industrial revolution. He joined Lycos in 1999 and worked on the natural search product before moving to Espotting.

Espotting was a pioneer of PPC advertising, powering European paid search results on Yahoo, Lycos and other engines. Duncan worked on campaigns for major brands, both direct and in co-operation with their agencies. He left Espotting in 2004 to work a consultant, gaining experience in website builds and business change projects through work with publisher VNU and a range of SMEs.

In 2005 he reunited with ex-Espotting colleague Oliver Bishop to found STEAK and deliver search campaigns to a higher standard than he had observed many agencies achieve whilst at Espotting. He has held a number of roles at STEAK as the agency has grown, including Head of Insight, Group Account Director and Head of PPC. Today, as COO, his role spans day-to-day business operations, training, technology, insight and thought leadership. Duncan has previously been a finalist in the Start Up awards 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year', was selected as one of the top 50 rising stars in science and innovation in the Courvoisier 'The Future 500', and has been in the top five of Media Week's '30 under 30'. As a recognised industry expert Duncan regularly comments for trade publications and writes a column for Search Engine Watch and a blog for The Drum, as well as contributing to STEAK's blog and social presences. He can be found on Twitter and Google+ via www.duncanparry.co.uk.

Annie joined STEAK in 2011 to oversee all financial matters for the entire Group including the UK, US and Australian offices as well as for sister company Minute Steak.

Prior to joining STEAK, Annie spent over 11 years working at large media agencies, including roles such as Group Financial Controller at Starcom Mediavest and Finance Director at ZenithOptimedia. During her career, she has gained invaluable media-focused experience of financial business management including delivering strategic financial reporting and forecasting, as well as running back-office operations.

“I have been working (scarily…) for 22 years this year and STEAK is the company I have felt the most committed to in that time – which comes down to company culture. At STEAK you belong to a family.”

With over 15 years client-servicing experience Phil joined STEAK in 2009 as Client Services Director and is responsible for overseeing the smooth running of all client relationships.

Phil moved into digital over 12 years ago, at full-service agency Profero where he developed long term relationships with the Central Office of Information, delivering innovative and award winning marketing. After a stint running integrated campaigns for RBS/NatWest at Modem Media, he joined Dare where he again worked with the COI, building the new Talk to Frank website, as well as managing relationships with the AA.

After 2 years with Six&Co managing the digital activity for P&G's hair and beauty brands Phil decided to get back into a full service environment and joined STEAK.

Phil recognises the importance of adding value to every stage of the campaign, and delivering great results for our clients; making him a perfect fit at STEAK.

“I knew STEAK was for me when I saw a full size purple cow in reception and four people asked me if I was being seen to when I was waiting in reception for my final interview, it felt like a company where everyone takes responsibility for making it a success - I wasn't wrong.”

Piri's been working in digital for over 12 years, having begun his career in search at Espotting Media. As part of the initial team he was integral to the successful launch of the company across eleven European countries. His role evolved and Piri became Head of Agency Sales, driving revenue and securing large accounts such as Ebay, Barclay Card, MoneySuperMarket and British Airways.

Following a brief period in Mobile Gaming in 2005, Piri then moved to Kit Digital – a leading provider of video technology platforms. He was responsible for opening their London office, while building and maintaining partnerships with clients such as News International Group (including The Sun and The Times) and Trinity Mirror.

Piri joined the STEAK Group in 2008 to launch STEAK’s sister company – Minute Steak. He was responsible for building the company’s expertise and client base while establishing the new brand in the market. Today he heads up new business where he is responsible for securing new clients across STEAK’s core services.

“The key to responding to client briefs effectively is the ability to truly listen and appreciate the requirements and motivation behind the campaign… And if they aren't sure what that is, it is our responsibility to guide them to digital success.”

Osh joined STEAK in November 2012 to lead the affiliate department; building and driving the team whilst planning and delivering successful affiliate marketing campaigns for clients including Swiftcover.com, My Favourite Magazines and Scottish Friendly.

Previously Osh had been optimising a wide range of campaigns at performance marketing consultancy, Stream:20. During his time there, he worked across affiliates and paid search and managed relationships with clients such as Experian, Jury's Inns, Trend Micro & Lloyds TSB Commercial.

In his own time, Osh runs a number of his personal affiliate sites, which enables him to gain valuable insights into current affiliate trends and issues.

Osh recognises that a strong product knowledge, combined with STEAK's strategic insight enables the growth of our client's affiliate programmes.

“Never be afraid to test something out and always ensure that your knowledge base is not simply limited to your own specific channel”

Gareth joined STEAK in 2009 to head up the SEO team who are responsible for clients such as Compare the Market, Expedia and Screwfix.

Gareth began his career in SEO at ChoiceQuote Insurance based in Liverpool. Responsible for the full marketing function for insurance products in motorcycle, taxi, van and haulage, he oversaw sizeable increases in ROI from online marketing spend before moving to The Search Works.

Gareth works in a collaborative way with his clients and cites continuous improvement for clients' rankings as the motivating element of his day. As an industry expert, Gareth sits on IAB and IPA Search Councils and regularly speaks at IAB, IMRG, SAScon and Econsultancy conferences. In addition, he writes a monthly column on industry website Searchenginewatch.com and has a passion for wakeboarding in his spare time.

“The key aspect of achieving digital success is to investigate data at both a micro and macro level, you can learn a lot by analysing everything down to the last detail, while keeping an eye on broader trends and correlations.”

Kate has been working in digital for over eight years, having started her career managing accounts such as Barclays and Barclaycard, 192.com, Betfair, Avis and HSA and was the first to utilise the 'Pay per Call' offering for HSA in the UK.

In 2006, Kate joined STEAK as a paid search Account Manager but soon moved into the newly created media planning and buying department where she helped grow the team and develop STEAK's display offering.

Kate became Account Director in 2008, managing integrated campaigns across affiliate marketing, mobile, social media, email and display for clients such as British Gas, swiftcover.com, Enjoy England and Vinspired. In 2009 she took over as the Head of Digital Display, developing client relations further, keeping abreast of new developments in all display aspects (including mobile and video) as well as ensuring best practice is followed across the team.

“The people I work with – including my clients – are what motivates me the most. We get to be creative through numbers and partake in wider marketing strategies. Digital has changed so much over the last couple of years that clients need evolving solutions and nimble agencies”

Mike joined STEAK as an Account Executive in 2006, joining from the editorial department at MIVA (formerly Espotting) Mike developed a granular understanding of paid search and is adept at handling a wide range of different clients with complex campaigns and requirements. In his current role as Group Account Director Mike focuses on delivering high-quality digital marketing for Virgin Holidays Group, Compare the Market, Debenhams, KwikFit and Moo.com.

Mike holds robust analytical skills, a strong grasp of technology which he uses to build an understanding of how his clients' customers interact with brands online, and how best to engage with them across multiple digital touch points. His strategic work has helped his clients to prepare for next generation ecommerce, led by content marketing and social. With this approach he oversees an integrated approach across all digital channels and embeds digital firmly within broader brand strategies.

“Understanding your market, consumers and product or service with formidable data to back it all up is the most important thing – this is what separates a good campaign from a great campaign.”

Dan joined STEAK in 2007, initially holding a role within business development, before moving into the client services team to lend his account management expertise to planning and managing the digital strategies for clients including British Gas Business, Dixons Retail, NetJets and Allianz.

Dan began his career at MIVA (formerly Espotting), the company that pioneered search engine marketing in Europe. After four years there he moved to Touch Local, the UK's largest online-only business directory. In his role there as Agency Account Manager he built senior level relationships with digital agencies and was responsible for lead generation as well as closing of business with new and existing clients.

“Our best work as an agency always comes from an inclusive working relationship with our clients. It's a cliché, but I'm happiest when the client considers us an extension of their marketing team rather than a supplier”

Simon is an experienced senior Digital Planner and strategist with 12 years' experience in design and build, advertising and marketing agencies across the creative and strategic functions.

Having started his career in design before moving on to User Experience and Account Planning, Simon has worked across most categories from Media to Apparel eCommerce for clients such as AB InBev, E.ON, AllSaints, Ted Baker, FreeviewTV and ASDA.

Simon joined STEAK in November 2011 as our Senior Planner. At STEAK Simon provides strategic support across all disciplines, ensuring a cohesive approach to our clients' account direction; consumer research, proposition development, innovation planning and idea generation. Simon works collaboratively with department heads, Account Directors and discipline specialists to focus output around core strategy and integrate the separate threads of a marketing programme.

“The potential to take a really broad, generalist view of the customer experience and engineer genuinely innovative ways to improve that customer experience for brands really excite me”