A leading branding and digital marketing agency with over 25 years of experience helping hospitality and leisure businesses grow.
Chalk + Ward is an independent full-service marketing agency headquartered in Exeter.
Founded in 1998 by Robert Chalk and Giles Ward after leaving the Saatchi & Saatchi network, they have served as long-term, trusted partners to brands across hospitality, food/drink, and tourism for over 25 years.
The agency emphasises 100% transparency, zero bull, and a client-success-first philosophy built on challenging ideas with commercial insight.
Their family-like team has grown through steady evolution, including joining TAAN Worldwide in 2014 for global reach and marking their 25th anniversary with a 2023 rebrand.
Recent leadership transitioned to MD Alister Tickle in 2024 after Robert Chalk’s 26 years.
Chalk + Ward delivers joined-up marketing from strategy through to execution, bringing creative thinking and commercial clarity together in one agency.
Their work spans brand strategy and rebrands, digital and performance campaigns, website design and build, social media, PR, advertising, media planning and buying, and targeted lead generation through their Hit Leads system. Alongside this, they offer hands-on management consultancy, helping businesses challenge assumptions, plan for the future, and build resilience in competitive hospitality and leisure markets.
By removing silos and keeping everything under one roof, Chalk + Ward provides clear, impartial support shaped around each client’s growth goals, with transparency, rigour and no hype.
Notable clients include Lympstone Manor, Devon Air Ambulance, Mole Valley Farmers, Met Office, and Powderham Castle, showcasing their ability to drive measurable growth without hype or siloed work. This provides consistent, impartial advice tailored to business goals
Chalk + Ward are a valued part of the Holidaymaker community. Their straightforward, no-nonsense approach to marketing aligns with what operators tell us: they want practical support that simplifies growth, not more noise.
They share deep sector knowledge openly, answering questions and contributing insights that enrich community conversations on branding and digital trends.
Visit Chalk + Ward
A place for the people shaping eXPerience across hospitality, leisure and tourism.
Read more
Stories, insights, ideas, and experiences shared by people from across the industry and beyond.
Read more
The community network of partners and friends from across the sector.
Read more