Darren Thompson

Darren Thompson Email and Phone Number

Founder | Innovating Across Recruitment, Civic Tech, and Beyond @ WizziGroup
Darren Thompson's Location
Rochester, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Darren Thompson's Contact Details
About Darren Thompson

After a fulfilling career leading transformative marketing initiatives, I’ve taken a leap of faith to pursue a passion project born out of real-world frustrations and a desire to make a lasting impact. I’m now the Founder of WizziGroup, an innovative startup creating tech platforms to tackle systemic inefficiencies in recruitment, politics, sports, and virtual interaction.This journey is deeply personal. Having faced job-seeking challenges in unfamiliar markets, I saw firsthand the flaws in recruitment processes—from poorly matched candidates to inefficiencies costing businesses billions annually. Similarly, navigating the complexities of voting systems inspired me to address the disengagement and confusion plaguing younger voters. These experiences led to WizziRole and WizziVote, our flagship platforms designed to revolutionise recruitment and civic engagement.Why WizziGroup?Real-World Solutions: WizziGroup’s apps address tangible problems with cutting-edge tools like AI, gamification, and modular ecosystems.Proven Market Opportunity: The global recruitment technology market is valued at $10.3B, growing at a 6.5% CAGR, while civic tech is set to surpass £15B by 2030.Early Momentum: Our recruitment MVP is underway. We envision launching scalable, impactful, and user-first platforms.My career at MG Motor UK and beyond has equipped me with the tools to succeed in this venture. At MG, I led initiatives that grew EV sales by over 40% and secured high-profile partnerships, including with a Premier League club and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I’ve consistently married data-driven strategies with creativity to deliver measurable results.Now, I’m channelling that same energy and determination into building a startup that solves problems and creates meaningful opportunities. WizziGroup reflects my belief that when done right, technology can empower individuals, simplify systems, and drive societal progress.If you’re an investor, partner, or talented professional looking to work on ambitious, impact-driven projects, let’s connect. Together, we can build platforms that make a real difference.

Darren Thompson's Current Company Details
WizziGroup

Wizzigroup

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Founder | Innovating Across Recruitment, Civic Tech, and Beyond
Darren Thompson Work Experience Details
  • Wizzigroup
    Founder
    Wizzigroup Dec 2024 - Present
    Finalising the core features for the MVP, setting up the company, securing subject-matter experts, conducting legal groundwork, NDAs, agreements, IP protection, preparing grant applications, and attracting investment.
  • Mg Motor Uk Ltd
    Head Of Marketing - Strategy, Brand & Partnerships
    Mg Motor Uk Ltd Aug 2023 - Dec 2024
    London, London, Gb
    I'm honoured to have been a part of MG, especially during its Centenary year and a period of remarkable growth. My key achievements include:• Led a brand positioning refresh, setting the foundation for all marketing activities and initiatives, including budget development and responsibility. #TheMagicOfMG• Developing a unique 360-degree marketing strategy for the launch of the MG Cyberster, the world's first all-electric roadster, that blends cutting-edge technology with MG's heritage. #LegendsLiveForever. A key initiative included initiating a 6-month, 10,000+ mile road trip from London to Shanghai in the Cyberster; a journey through 28 countries, harvesting content with a BAFTA award-winning film crew; we visited over 500 MG dealers, resulting in over 2,000 hand-raisers, massive media coverage and anticipation for the global launch. #ChargingIntoTheFuture• Collaborating with cross-functional teams at MG UK, MG EU and MG Global (China) to drive brand awareness and engagement for the future of electrifying performance while ensuring alignment with MG's legacy and values. • Successfully negotiated multi-year Global partnerships with Arsenal Football Club, Disney, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.• Contributing to MG's growth trajectory by continuously seeking opportunities to innovate and evolve in the dynamic automotive landscape.Overall, it's been an incredible journey, and I'm excited to see what's next for MG and me!
  • Tevva Hydrogen Electric Trucks
    Head Of Marketing
    Tevva Hydrogen Electric Trucks Sep 2022 - Aug 2023
    Tilbury, London, Gb
    • Strategy: Introduced robust 3-year marketing strategy and annual budget, incorporating thematic and tactical campaigns and a comprehensive Integrated Activity Planner with a headline view of events/company milestones.• Brand: Initiated brand refresh incorporating tone of voice, manifesto, slogan, and brand marque. Led advertising, creative, public relations, and digital agency selection process/onboarding. Agency became an important partner.• Digital: Introduced a new headless CMS website and transitioned the legacy CRM platform to an Enterprise-ready solution with detailed Personas and automation. Transformed social media by integrating data-informed SEO insights. Maintained industry-leading growth across social and sector-leading sentiment in Brandwatch mentions.• People: Doubled headcount in readiness for geographic expansion in UKI, EU and USA, with cross-functional consultation and alignment from sales, people services, ESG, leadership team and the board. • Content: Led content development across all platforms and channels, including oversight of copywriting, videography, and design to maximise storytelling and demand generation. Preparation of content to achieve traction in media through PR, often receiving +200 pieces of coverage across industry/mainstream media. • Events: Strong experiential event representation EU-wide, with a sustainable stand concept providing high-impact customer-centric executions. Hosted client clinics to understand/inform product development strategy.
  • Tevva Hydrogen Electric Trucks
    Senior Marketing Manager - Demand Generation
    Tevva Hydrogen Electric Trucks Mar 2022 - Aug 2022
    Tilbury, London, Gb
    Leading the charge to zero-emissions freight using revolutionary range extension technology.
  • Openminds Group
    Founder
    Openminds Group Feb 2020 - Mar 2022
    During the Covid lockdowns, I started a marketing consultancy to help companies to pivot their commercial and brand strategy.Key areas:Responsible for creating innovative strategies and pipelines, driving brand strategies, and finding opportunities to enhance commercial operations.Customers include Beyond Resilience LLC (Culture transformation. B2B), Shela Pitch Ltd (Investor/start-up platform. B2B), and Davies Tanner Ltd (Traditional PR agency. B2B. B2C). Highlights:● Developed marketing proposals and strategic plans based on client goals and budget; led brand development, marketing automation, CRM, and social media strategy; full P&L responsibility; secured £530k new business.● Introduced a future-proof commercial strategy; organically grew social following from 3.5k to 12k in 4-months.
  • Silex Consulting
    Chief Marketing Officer
    Silex Consulting Jul 2018 - Jul 2019
    Westminster, London, Gb
    Highlights:● Transformed the CEO's ideas into complete business plans; secured seed investment; adopted a robust client retention strategy, resulting in a 30% increase in annual billings.● Led the brand identity upgrade, ensuring consistency across all channels and mediums.● Oversaw Silex's registration on the Digital Marketplace, bid on tenders, resulting in new service-level contracts from the UK Home Office; doubled Home Office billing within 6 months.● Pivotal to the launch of 13 Mile Rum after securing HMRC distillery license. ● Recouped c.£100k of written-off debt; instituted new billing procedures for streamlined collections.
  • Socially Powerful
    Marketing Director - Emea
    Socially Powerful Jan 2018 - Jul 2018
    London, Gb
    In today’s cluttered media and decentralised reporting world, people interact with brands on their terms. The shift in attention is a fundamental shift in business and marketing, and it’s this understanding makes Socially Powerful one of the UK’s fastest-growing social agencies.
  • Openminds Digital
    Managing Director
    Openminds Digital Oct 2006 - Oct 2017
    Openminds was formally known as AfricaAD. Highlights:● Scaled advertising agency from 6 to 29 staff, achieved £2.25m of new revenue over 18 months. ● Oversaw CM&A Ogilvy & Mather / AfricaAD merger; reduced overheads (+60%); won £2M in new business.● Directed AB InBev's Local Premium Lager Portfolio for +10 years. Effective spend of £1.5m to increase volumes from 1.4% to 39% of the total premium portfolio (£12m growth). Campaign recognised as the "Benchmark for premium brand communications".● Worked with CEO, Board, and Senior Executive team at Colcom Foods to streamline product line of 170 standalone products into five primary brands, including go-to-market strategy; grew revenue by £1.2m.● Influenced Group restructuring and brand refresh for Cimas Group. Principal liaison with creative, digital, media buying agencies; reduced claims/loss ratio over 6 months, resulting in a c£6m increase in profits. ● Developed the award-winning iGo wellness loyalty program, 24/7 contact centre, and online symptom checker achieved a 32% reduction in customer complaints.● Increased sales volumes at Irvine's Chickens; organically grew their social following by +400% over 3 months.● Formulated the digital strategy for leading mobile network Econet (Buddie for Life); grew the social following, 20k to 500k (6 months).● Conceptualised and produced retail Christmas promotion, achieved 34% year-on-year increase in sales.● Facilitated five marketing and branding training courses for executives at prestigious venues.● Principal Coordinator of the "International Food Week". Successfully secured sponsors & celebrity chefs.● Ngoma Awards: Innovation (Colcom Bacon Salt). Best Brand ID (iGo). Campaign of the Year (iGo). Jingle (Benco). Promotion (Beverley). Outdoor (City Furniture); Press (FBC Bank). Campaign of the Year (ZOL).
  • Gary Thompson & Associates
    Managing Partner
    Gary Thompson & Associates Aug 1996 - Sep 2006
    Harrare, Zw
    I joined the agency shortly after its inception. The agency specialised in TV show production and OOH media, with my specific responsibility for the commercial operations, including creative and production leadership, recruitment and systems integration. We successfully secured significant business from notable companies, including Barclays Bank, Air Zimbabwe, NetOne and Astra Paints. Our notable achievements during this time included being the most extensive integrated independent advertising agency in the region, selected by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to launch and position the new currency. We were also unique in that we pioneered street pole advertising in Zimbabwe and conceptualised, produced, and directed over 200 studio format TV shows. Additionally, we developed ZimGroup, the first web portal, which contained vehicle sales, property sales and job listings.Highlights:● Grew the company from a start-up to the country's largest independent marketing group, with seventy-five staff; Campaigns included Barclays Bank's "Yes" campaign and the Reserve Bank's currency launch.● Conceptualised the go-to-market strategy for Kingdom Holdings; used TV education platform to transform them into the go-to financial company of the region. Produced +200 TV shows.● Established the country's first full-service digital agency; developed a popular web portal (PaaS).● Appointed to Executive Board of ZAAPA. ADMA accredited. Recognised by Marketers Association as a top-tier agency.

Darren Thompson Skills

Advertising Marketing Strategy New Business Development Brand Development Management Marketing Business Strategy Graphic Design Integrated Marketing Digital Strategy Strategy Art Direction Business Development Online Advertising Negotiation Marketing Communications Digital Marketing Social Media Social Media Marketing Online Marketing Photoshop Media Planning Sales Budgets Entrepreneurship Market Research Public Relations Email Marketing Mobile Marketing Market Planning Creative Strategy Direct Marketing Sem Microsoft Excel Creative Direction Digital Media Brand Management Marketing Management Copywriting Outdoor Advertising Market Analysis Corporate Communications Brand Awareness Web Analytics Branding Direct Mail Strategic Communications Social Media Measurement Strategic Partnerships Website Development

Darren Thompson Education Details

  • Colorado State University Pueblo
    Colorado State University Pueblo
    Marketing Strategy And Planning - Hasan School Of Business
  • Colorado State University Pueblo
    Colorado State University Pueblo
    General
  • New Mexico Military Institute
    New Mexico Military Institute
    General
  • St. John'S College
    St. John'S College
    Art

Frequently Asked Questions about Darren Thompson

What company does Darren Thompson work for?

Darren Thompson works for Wizzigroup

What is Darren Thompson's role at the current company?

Darren Thompson's current role is Founder | Innovating Across Recruitment, Civic Tech, and Beyond.

What is Darren Thompson's email address?

Darren Thompson's email address is da****@****g.co.zw

What schools did Darren Thompson attend?

Darren Thompson attended Colorado State University Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo, New Mexico Military Institute, St. John's College.

What are some of Darren Thompson's interests?

Darren Thompson has interest in Technology And Innovation, Children, Loving The World Cup Rugby So Far, Top Gear, Creativity And Design, Gym/fitness, Disaster And Humanitarian Relief, Human Rights, Golf.

What skills is Darren Thompson known for?

Darren Thompson has skills like Advertising, Marketing Strategy, New Business Development, Brand Development, Management, Marketing, Business Strategy, Graphic Design, Integrated Marketing, Digital Strategy, Strategy, Art Direction.

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