Lisa Middleton

Who I help

I work with ambitious businesses across Dorset, South Hants and Wiltshire that need additional capacity or specialist expertise, but don’t necessarily want the cost or commitment of employing someone.

You might need a clearer marketing plan and the right people to deliver it. Perhaps important administrative or operational work keeps slipping down the list, or your business has reached the point where you need more structure behind the scenes. Whatever the challenge, I take the time to understand what’s really needed and bring together the right expertise from the Get Ahead team.

Our flexible model means you can start with one person for a few hours, build a small team around a particular project, or access ongoing support across marketing, HR, finance, administration and operations. You get the skills your business needs, without adding permanent headcount.

I work particularly well with growing businesses, consultants and professional-services firms. Many of my clients are experts in their own field but need reliable people around them to turn ideas into action, strengthen the way their business operates, and create the capacity for further growth.

Whether you’re in Bournemouth, Poole, Southampton or Salisbury, I’ll match you with the right virtual assistant or specialist from our team.

My background

Before joining Get Ahead, I spent more than 20 years in B2B marketing, communications and client-focused roles within global organisations including EY, Computacenter and the fintech sector.

My experience covers brand positioning, PR, digital content, campaign management, partner marketing and cross-functional projects. Working alongside sales, product and operational teams gave me a strong understanding of how different parts of a business need to work together if growth is going to be sustainable.

After moving from Hertfordshire to the South Coast in 2015, I launched Get Ahead Wessex in 2023. It gave me the opportunity to combine my commercial experience with what I enjoy most, building relationships, solving problems and connecting businesses with people who can make a genuine difference.

Alongside supporting clients across my region, I also help shape some of Get Ahead’s structured marketing services nationally, including strategic marketing direction, campaign testing and partner marketing activity.

How I work with clients

I always start with the business objective rather than a list of services. Sometimes a client knows exactly what support they need. More often, they know something isn’t working, they’re overstretched, or they have an opportunity they can’t pursue with their current resources. My job is to ask the right questions, identify the real requirement, and recommend a practical solution.

Getting the match right is an important part of that. I select people from our team based on their skills, experience and working style, and I remain involved once the work begins, if the requirement changes, the support can change with it. I want clients to feel that Get Ahead is an extension of their business rather than simply an external supplier.

My Region

My region covers Dorset, South Hants and Wiltshire, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury and the surrounding towns and rural business communities. It’s an incredibly varied region, with established employers, professional-services firms, growing businesses, family businesses and an active community of entrepreneurs.

I’m regularly out meeting business owners across the region, and I host Get Connected Southampton at Metro Bank. Connection is central to the way I work. I enjoy introducing people who can help one another, whether that means making a useful connection within the local business community or finding the particular expert a client needs to move their business forward.

Clients often ask whether our experts are UK-based, whether they can begin with only a few hours, and whether they can access more than one specialism. The answer to all three is yes. Support can be shaped around the business, whether that’s one expert working alongside you regularly or a small team brought together for a particular project.

Outside of work

I’m lucky enough to live by the sea in Christchurch with my husband, our two teenage sons and our Cavapoochon.

One of the best things about living here is having the coast and the New Forest so close by. I love getting outside for a daily dog walk, particularly when it involves fresh sea air and some time away from a screen.

Travel is another big part of our family life. We love exploring new places together, although organising adventures with two teenage boys can occasionally require as much coordination as a client project.

Frequently asked questions

If your business needs greater capacity, specialist expertise or a clearer way forward, I’d be delighted to hear more about what you’re trying to achieve. Please get in touch on 07766 111963 or email lisa.middleton@getaheadva.com.

We pride ourselves on being the staff you don’t see, but the difference you do.