The DM Lab

09/10/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that Hazel and Megan have both been named finalists at the Flamingo Business Awards in the Trailblazers in Sales & Marketing category.

This award celebrates the sales and marketing experts who help elevate the visibility of their own or others’ businesses, and we couldn’t be happier to see both of them recognised!

For Hazel, this finalist place reflects an incredible journey.

From work experience to apprenticeship, and now into a growing role across web design, backend development, SEO, social media, Google Ads reporting, client training and digital support, Hazel has shown what can happen when talent, resilience and the right environment come together.

Her route into the industry has not been traditional, but that is exactly what makes her story so powerful. Hazel brings clarity, empathy and practical problem-solving to everything she does, helping clients feel more confident in their websites, marketing and digital presence.

For Megan, this recognition celebrates a marketer who combines creative instinct with commercial discipline.

With a background in visual storytelling and a strong focus on paid media, search, content, reporting and campaign optimisation, Megan helps clients turn attention into action. Her approach brings together creativity, data and strategy to make businesses more visible, more trusted and more effective.

What makes this particularly special is that Hazel and Megan both represent different but equally important strengths within The DM Lab.

Hazel proves that non-traditional routes into digital can create exceptional talent.

Megan proves that creativity and commercial performance are strongest when they work together.

Both care deeply about the work, the clients, the team and the impact good marketing can have.

At The DM Lab, we’ve always believed in creating opportunities, developing people and making brilliant marketing simple. Seeing two members of our team recognised as finalists in the same category is a lovely reminder that those values matter.

Huge congratulations, Hazel and Megan.

Very well deserved! Oh, and if you can spare a sec, they'd really appreciate a vote to help them edge toward the coveted title: https://flamingobusiness.co.uk/fba-public-vote-2026

01/10/2026

Really pleased to see the new GB Group website officially live!

This was a great project for us because it went far beyond a visual redesign. GB Group needed a digital platform that better reflected the scale of the business, supported recruitment and subcontractor enquiries, and gave them a much stronger technical foundation for search.

We designed and developed the new site end to end, with performance, accessibility and SEO built into the architecture from the start.

The results speak for themselves:

✅ 95 Google Lighthouse Performance score
✅ 100 SEO score
✅ 2.0s Largest Contentful Paint
✅ Zero layout shift
✅ Core Web Vitals firmly in the green

But the part we're most pleased with is that it now feels like a website that matches the business behind it, professional, substantial and built to support growth rather than simply exist online. Another good example of why modern web development should bring together design, performance, SEO and real business functionality.

You can read the full case study here:

https://thedmlab.com/case-studies/rebuilding-a-property-asset-management-website-for-performance-search-visibility-and-growth/

Congratulations to everyone at GB Group on the launch and of course thankyou for the opportunity to work together!

GB Group is a Herefordshire based property and asset management contractor with regional offices, delivering repairs, adaptations, installations and maintenance for private clients, local authorities and housing associations across the UK.

30/09/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that we picked up Silver in the 'SME of the Year' category at the Great British Business & Community Awards!

Having already been shortlisted as a Bronze winner in both 'SME of the Year' and 'Outstanding Contribution to the Community', it was a brilliant surprise to be elevated to Silver recognition on the night alongside 2 other businesses.

To be recognised nationally in a category celebrating small and medium-sized businesses means a huge amount to us.

The DM Lab has always been built on the belief that business growth and community impact should not be separate things. Over the last 16 years, we’ve grown from a small Herefordshire start-up into a nationally recognised digital growth agency, while continuing to invest in apprenticeships, local organisations, grassroots sport, charities, mentoring and community projects.

So this recognition feels like a lovely acknowledgement of both sides of the business.

A huge congratulations to Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers from neighbouring Worcester, who were named overall Gold winners on the night. A brilliant achievement and fantastic to see another business from our part of the world leading the way nationally.

Congratulations as well to Right at Home Maidenhead, Marlow & Henley on their recognition in the category also.

We were proud to stand alongside such strong businesses.

Thank you to the Great British Business & Community Awards judges, and to every client, colleague, partner, friend and community organisation that has been part of The DM Lab journey so far.

Silver on the night.

Plenty more still to build.

Great British Expo's Ltd

28/09/2026

Please chuck us a quick, painless vote for The Small Business Awards - we'd really appreciate it! 🙏

We are committed to embracing the incredible traits that define entrepreneurial rockstars – resilience, innovation, community impact, and unwavering dedication.

24/09/2026

We were incredibly grateful to receive this Proud Business Partner plaque and a kind letter from Hereford Pegasus FC, recognising our support as an official club partner for the 2026–2027 season.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots sport and local community organisations, we redeveloped the website for Peggy to help strengthen their digital presence, showcase the club more effectively and support the brilliant work happening both on and off the pitch.

For us, this is what corporate social responsibility should be about. Not just writing about values, but using the skills, time and resources we have to help local clubs, charities and community groups move forward.

Of course, anyone who knows Chris will know he is deeply involved with Belmont Wanderers FC CIC, where he serves as Chairman and has spent many years supporting grassroots football, volunteers, players and families.

But his passion has never stopped at one badge. Chris is a huge advocate for grassroots football across Herefordshire, and believes every club doing good things for its community deserves support, encouragement and recognition.

That is why this plaque means a lot. It represents partnership, mutual respect and the bigger picture: local clubs working hard to create opportunities, bring people together and strengthen communities through sport.

It also arrives at a special time for The DM Lab and Chris personally, with recent finalist recognition across several local and national awards celebrating business growth, community leadership, responsible business and contribution to the county.

Those recognitions mean a great deal, but moments like this are what remind us why the work matters.

Thank you to Jonathan, Bish and everyone else at Hereford Pegasus FC for the kind gesture.

We’re proud to support you, proud to see the club thriving, and proud to play a small part in helping grassroots football across Herefordshire continue to grow!

22/09/2026

Please help us take home the coveted title of 'Marketing Agency of the Year' at the Local Business Awards!

If you’ve ever supported us, worked with us, referred us, liked what we do, or simply want to back a local business doing its best to make a positive impact, we’d be hugely grateful for your vote.

Vote here:
https://mylocalawards.co.uk/businesses/the-dm-lab/?award=marketing-agency-of-the-year

We know the voting process is a bit daunting as it asks for your email address AND a mobile number to send a validation code (that's all, no spammy texts etc) - so, as a token of our appreciation, anyone who votes and comments with a screenshot of their validated entry will be entered into a draw to win one of our unique Mini Masons!

How to enter:

1. Vote using the link (also in the comments)
2. Validate your vote via a code sent by text to your number
3. Screenshot your confirmed entry
4. Comment it below to enter the draw

Thank you for every vote, every share and every bit of support. It genuinely means the world to us.

Local people. Local support. Local business. 💙

21/09/2026

Awesome

Brilliant start to the season for our Under 15s making it 5 wins from 5 games with their win today. Keep it up boys 👏🏻

11/09/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that Chris has been named one of just three finalists in the Business Leader of the Year category at the Herefordshire Business Awards.

This is a very special recognition.

Chris co-founded The DM Lab with Dale in 2010 following redundancy and a chance meeting, helping grow the business from living rooms and a converted garage into a nationally recognised digital growth agency proudly based in Herefordshire.

But leadership, to Chris, has never just been about building a business.

It has always been about using business as a platform to create opportunity, support others and make a positive difference.

Through The DM Lab, Chris has helped hundreds of organisations grow through honest, creative and results-focused marketing. He has championed apprenticeships, mentoring, responsible business, community support and the belief that brilliant work can happen outside major cities.

Alongside running the agency, Chris has also dedicated huge amounts of time to grassroots sport and community projects, particularly through Belmont Wanderers FC CIC and the Southside Project, helping create opportunities for children, families, volunteers and the wider community.

To be recognised locally in a category celebrating business leadership means a great deal.

Especially in the county where The DM Lab was founded, built and continues to call home.

Thank you to the Herefordshire Business Awards judges for recognising Chris as a finalist.

And congratulations to all the other finalists.

Recognising the people leading Herefordshire businesses forward 💫

Congratulations to our 2026 Business Leader of the Year Finalists…
Chris Tipping (The DM Lab)
Jamie Perkins-Best (Environmental Management Solutions)
Stephen Goodridge (Goodridge Electrical Contractors Ltd)

Good luck to all! The winner will be announced at this year’s Herefordshire Business Awards on Friday 16th October at Lyde Court. 👏

Want to celebrate with us? Tickets for Herefordshire’s Biggest Business Event of the year can be purchased here… www.herefordshirebusinessawards.co.uk

With thanks to our category sponsor, Kinder Digital Accountants

04/09/2026

Circus Starr comes to town on Sunday and the show is currently full, but families who may benefit can still head over to their website to join the waiting list in case tickets become available.

https://www.circus-starr.org.uk/apply-for-tickets/

We hope everyone heading along on Sunday has an absolutely magical time!

We are always so proud to be able to help share the magic with those who need it most thanks to Circus Starr.

Across the UK, there are children and families who feel isolated. This may be because of disability, additional learning needs, or families facing social, physical or financial disadvantages.

Because of our support, any many others, these children are given the chance to experience joy, laughter and connection through the magic of circus. For many, it's more than just a show, it's a moment where they feel seen, valued and included.

We are really proud to support our community and helping Circuss Star to create these unforgettable experiences.

We don't get many thanks, so it's nice to get one every once in a while!

03/09/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that Chris has been named a finalist in the Community Leadership Award category at the Men’s Porch Legacy Awards!

This is a very special recognition.

Chris is best known professionally as Managing Director of The DM Lab, but anyone who knows him will know that his work has never stopped at running a business.

For more than a decade, Chris has given his time, energy and leadership to grassroots football, community projects, mentoring, fundraising and local causes across Herefordshire.

Through Belmont Wanderers Football Club CIC, he has helped the club grow from a handful of teams into one of the county’s largest grassroots football communities, now supporting more than 550 players, 35 teams and around 70 volunteers.

He has also been one of the driving forces behind The Southside Project, helping deliver a £1m 3G pitch and progress new community facilities designed to support sport, wellbeing, education and connection for generations to come.

But what makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that Chris’s community work is not separate from The DM Lab.

It is part of why the business exists.

The DM Lab has given Chris the platform, flexibility and resources to support charities, community groups, schools, grassroots clubs and local initiatives far beyond marketing alone.

From apprenticeships and mentoring to fundraising, free guidance, digital support and volunteering, the business has always been used as a vehicle to create opportunity for others.

That is what leadership looks like to us.

Not titles.
Not ego.
Not doing good only when people are watching.

But showing up consistently, helping others grow and using whatever influence you have to make your community stronger.

The Men’s Porch Legacy Awards celebrate positive role models, wellbeing, connection, confidence and lasting impact.

We can’t think of a better fit! Congratulations, Chris. A very well-deserved finalist place. To gain the ultimate recognition of being crowned with a Community Leadership accolade, we need your vote please! It's quick, easy and you don't have to submit any details - just type in his name below his category image (which is the first one on the link handily - thankyou in advance!)

📅 Voting closes: 16 September 2026
👉 VOTE NOW: www.mensporch.org/vote

Recognising Impact. Celebrating Legacy.