Harriet Judge joins Optix as an Account Executive

Hi! My name is Harriet, and I joined Optix at the beginning of December.

I thought I’d take a moment to share a little bit about myself…

After leaving Sixth Form, I decided against going to university and instead worked mainly in the hospitality industry in both the UK and Cyprus – for when I needed a bit of sunshine! I absolutely love this sector. Some of my fondest work memories and lifelong friendships were forged in these roles. While the hours can be long and anti-social, it’s a fantastic environment for learning how to thrive in a team, handle fast-paced situations, and interacting with the general public – skills for life!

In my early twenties, I did what many people do: I packed my bags and went travelling for six months. When I returned, I dabbled in a variety of roles, including sales and e-commerce but most recently, I spent four and a half years as Marketing Manager at a local visitor attraction. During my time there, I worked with the team to help evolve the business.

We introduced numerous new practices, relaunched the website and e-commerce site, and I project-managed the development of a bespoke online booking system that integrated with an EPOS system. These initiatives were all designed to enhance the Customer Journey, both online and in-store, with a strong focus on User Interface and User Experience design.

In the end, we more than doubled footfall, increased organic web traffic by over 300%, grew our social media following by 100%, and significantly boosted revenue. We also rebranded and relaunched the café, giving it its own identity separate from the visitor attraction, while ensuring the two departments remained connected. The café is now a multi-award-winning spot in the area. As someone passionate about hospitality and a self-proclaimed foodie, this project was a real labour of love for me!

Now, I’ve joined Optix as an Account Executive. Having worked exclusively on the client side throughout my career, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the client’s perspective. This allows me to approach my role with empathy, insight, and a clear focus on delivering meaningful outcomes.

I’m thrilled to begin my journey with Optix. Not only is it the leading digital marketing agency in the area, but it’s also a business built on strong values: Engage, Support, Delight. These principles shape the company culture and serve as the foundation for partnerships with clients, ensuring that we work strategically and as an extension of their teams. For every project, Optix assembles a tailored blend of market-leading expertise across strategists, digital marketers, and creatives to understand, define, and deliver on key objectives. I feel privileged to be surrounded by such experts!

Outside of work, you’ll often find me hiking, running, or cycling in the beautiful Devon countryside alongside my two dogs, Murph (a wire-haired Hungarian Vizsla) and Zola (an Italian Spinone). I also spend a lot of time at the gym or on the beach, either paddleboarding or surfing – although I’m not sure my surfing skills quite qualify me to call it that yet… As a huge foodie, I’m frequently on the hunt for new places in the area. Sampling great food counts as a hobby in my book!

Xenia says: “We’re delighted to welcome Harriet to the team here at Optix. Her impressive background in marketing, along with her client-side experience and passion for delivering results, makes her a fantastic addition. We’re excited to see the impact she’ll have on our clients and the team.”