Book IWD Speaker: Katy Leeson

Co-Founder of Blank Space Content Studios, Former UK MD of Social Chain & Former CEO of Relentless Group

Katy Leeson has built a career driven by curiosity, graft, and a clear sense of purpose. She stepped into the industry in 2005 at Feather Brooksbank, learning how clients think and how campaigns take shape. MediaCom North spotted her talent early; she moved through senior account roles before becoming Business Development Controller in 2013, then Head of New Business and Marketing by 2015. Those years shaped her commercial instincts. She learned how to pitch, how to build teams around ideas, and how to deliver work that actually lands. One example was her work bringing new digital clients into the agency at a time when social media was still seen as an add-on rather than a core channel.

Her next chapter turned her into one of the most recognised leaders in digital marketing. She joined Social Chain in 2016 as Operations Director, rose to UK Managing Director in 2017, and helped scale the agency from a small Manchester start-up to a global operation. The team grew from a few dozen people to hundreds, operating across multiple countries. She worked alongside Steven Bartlett to shape the culture, build the systems, and turn a fast-moving idea into a serious business. She was named an IPA Women of Tomorrow finalist, LinkedIn Top Voice in both 2019 and 2020, and a Campaign Female Frontier honouree. Her growing profile also saw her champion charities including Smart Works and Prevent Breast Cancer.

After Social Chain’s success, Katy took on the CEO role at Gary Neville’s Relentless Group in 2022. She led the media team at Salford City FC, helped launch the club’s channels, and applied the psychology of fandom to win over young supporters. She shaped the marketing for Stick to Football and played a key role in building The Overlap into one of the UK’s most popular sports shows. Fractional CMO roles followed with brands such as Nadine Merabi, Luxe Collective, and Glowwa, alongside her work as a growth coach and consultant. In 2025, she co-founded Blank Space Content Studios, strengthening her ties to content strategy and digital influence.

Katy is now a sought-after keynote speaker for International Women’s Day because she speaks with candour and experience. Her topics cover imposter syndrome, purpose, values, content psychology, and people-first leadership. She relates to the pressure many women feel in male-dominated environments and shows how self-doubt can become fuel for progress. Her talks blend honest storytelling with practical guidance, creating the kind of connection that stays with audiences long after the event.

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