Our Expert Team!
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Jack Howson - Managing Director
After 7 years in the world of hospitality sector banking, Jack decided it was time to drop the spreadsheets and finally get stuck into helping B2C businesses in a different way.
Previously chief “sorry don’t eat for a second I need to take some pics for Instagram” at @thetasteaddict, Jack’s mixed marketing and finance background help Aperture really understand their client’s needs.
Unfortunately however, he still doesn’t understand how to let someone eat their meal before it goes cold…
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Gemma Decent - Account Director
Meet Gemma. With over a decade of experience in creative strategy and marketing technologies, Gemma brings a sharp commercial lens and a collaborative spirit to every client relationship. She’s led growth across sectors from luxury retail to FMCG and drinks, always aligning brand ambition with business outcomes.
Known for her calm leadership and knack for facilitation, Gemma’s the kind of partner you want in the room when the big ideas are on the table and deadlines are tight.
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Jack Curliss - Head of Partnerships
Say hey to Jack, our Partnerships Manager and client whisperer. After a career in investment banking, where he supported hospitality clients, Jack decided it was time to switch things up and focus on what he does best - building relationships.
He’s done it all, from banking to marketing to printing allergen labels for London’s restaurants (don’t ask). While he might joke about not being the most creative person in the room (we’ve got an awesome team for that), he makes up for it with a knack for numbers and keeping clients smiling.
Outside of work, Jack's a nature enthusiast, armed with more animal facts than you’ll ever need, and loves staying active with tennis and golf (we promise he’s not boring!).
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Dafina Keys - Senior Ops Director
With a wealth of experience across content, digital strategy, and operational leadership, Dafina oversees the seamless delivery of our campaigns and processes at Aperture. Her impressive career includes managing global brands such as Holland & Barrett, Co-op, John Lewis & Partners, and Vitality Health Insurance.
Dafina is a master of client relationships, driving account growth and profitability while delivering exceptional results. Her strategic and hands-on expertise spans a variety of sectors, from health and retail to finance, beauty, and travel.
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Vanessa Munnings - Senior PR Director
Driven by a passion to get results for clients, Vanessa is an experienced PR and (sometimes) journalist whose specialisms lie in hospitality, F&B, travel, luxury, fashion and wellbeing.
Whether leading headline-capturing campaigns for household name brands or hosting press visits, Vanessa knows what makes a headline and how to get clients in the news.
When she's not dictating press releases to her phone as she's on the move, you'll probably find her buying more coats for her Spanish rescue dog, Pablo, or thinking up catchy headlines for her travel blog.
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Lucia Lopez-Moreno - Senior Account Manager
A Spaniard-turned-Londoner, Lucia is a social media and influencer marketing expert with years of experience driving successful campaigns for major brands in finance, tech, and FMCG.
She now applies her unique Gen Z insight to Aperture, helping our clients find their voice and connect with their audience in the ever-evolving social landscape.
When she's not scrolling for the latest trends, she can be found digging for vintage vinyls or catching a live gig in East London.
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Ellen Panlilio - Account Executive
Meet Ellen, who loves anything with a smiley face and has a background in Graphic Design. She has a passion for all things creative and is always eager to learn and expand her skills.
When she’s not creating bold designs, you can find her whipping up meals in the kitchen, staying active at the gym, or binge-scrolling through TikTok. Ellen is always on the lookout for the latest trends to spark her creativity. With a love for travel, she’s ready to explore anywhere outside the country and is always down for a cheeky Nando’s ◡̈
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George Hayden - Account Executive
With a 5-year stint in the events hospitality industry before turning to socials, George is passionate about all things food and drink, using his experience to create, promote, and fine-tune social strategies for Aperture’s clients.
Having worked on socials for a range of industries, from plumbers to councils, George has a knack for crafting captivating content.
In his spare time, George enjoys strolls through scenic North Wales, in the company of his loyal dog, Rufus (absolutely no hiking in sight!). When indoors you'll find him immersed in anything from rugby to experimenting in the kitchen.
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Ruby Linton - Content Creator
Meet Ruby, a food and drink photographer and videographer who turned her university hobby into a full-blown profession. Because let’s face it, taking photos of your dinner is way more fun when it’s your job.
She’s all about capturing the magic of food, whether it’s the steam rising from a fresh plate of pasta or the perfectly timed splash of a cocktail.
When she’s not busy making food look irresistible, you’ll find her playing football, scouting out new places to eat, or booking flights to wherever the snacks look good. Equal parts creative and slightly obsessed with dessert, Ruby’s always ready to bring a little flavor to her work—pun fully intended. -
Izzy Greenslade - Content Creator
Starting out in film and TV after studying film production in Bristol, Izzy worked her way up from production runner to camera assistant, before discovering a love for food photography when starting a veggie food blog during lockdown.
Now Aperture’s Junior Photographer & Videographer, Izzy brings that passion for creative storytelling to every shoot. When not holding a camera, you’ll find her chasing the perfect iced matcha, buying more plants than necessary or cooking up a new delicious recipe.
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Amy Lainchbury - Paid Ads Specialist
Paid ads can be anything from rocket fuel to a cash black hole for a business, depending on how you manage them.
This is where our paid ads star Amy comes in, she’s spent years learning the inner workings of the paid ads landscape, and knows how to navigate you to a positive return on investment like she’s got Captain Jack Sparrows compass.
When not posting/scrolling, you can find Amy trying to become a better runner. By her own account, she’s a bit of a shuffler, but getting marginally quicker!
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Lauren Barnett - Content Creator
No, Lauren isn’t a cyclops with a camera for the other eye, but the way she creates her epic content she might was well be!
Lauren has experience working with hundreds of high profile brands across a variety of sectors, so she’s got a skillset that’s hard to beat. Excellent at creating both professionally shot content and UGC, you might catch her starring in a client video eating chicken or twirling pasta!
Lauren has a real love for social media, and spends her spare time working with brands on her personal blog @lcb_loves!
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Hugo Malir - Web Designer
Meet Hugo, the founder and chief web designer at Spilt Milk Web Design, our key web design partner. With a passion for creating visually stunning and user-friendly websites, Hugo ensures every project is a masterpiece.
When he's not crafting beautiful websites, Hugo enjoys playing jazz piano and embarking on long hikes through the countryside. His creative flair and attention to detail make him an invaluable asset to our team, blending technical expertise with artistic vision.
Whether he's designing a cutting-edge site or improvising on the piano, Hugo's dedication to his craft shines through in everything he does.