In our latest “offline” edition, we catch-up with Rob Shaw, CEO at HUB, and discover why he ran in the Saharah Dessert, loves watching Star Wars, proudest career achievement and the industry’s biggest opportunity in 2026 and much more!
How did you get started in digital marketing?
My first role was as CTO for Latitude Group – a performance marketing agency in Warrington. The first 15 years of my career was in technology and I wanted to move into an industry where technology was a core driver of growth. That’s where I learned about performance marketing and agencies in general.
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How do you switch off?
The stock answer is that I run. I’ve been a non-exec director of a running company (Run for All) for many years and time running clears my head.
The less obvious answer is that I’ve been teaching myself Silversmithing. I have a creative studio at home and I make rings and other jewellery!
What’s been your favourite Winter Olympic Sport to watch?
I’ve loved the Skeleton and enjoyed following the success of Matt Weston – I’ve also enjoyed his subsequent TikTok posts!
Fun fact about you?
I ran the Marathon des Sables across the Saharah Desert a few years ago – 6 marathons in 6 days across the sand dunes carrying all my food and kit on my back – a life changing experience.
What one thing would you tell your younger self?
Take more risks in your career. I’ve been fortunate enough to work for and with some incredible entrepreneurs, I wish I had met people like them earlier in my career, they have taught me a lot.
What is the biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2026?
Make the most of the amazing tools at your disposal, you are still at the most measurable side of marketing – make sure your clients understand the insights you can provide.
What’s the biggest challenge for digital marketers in 2026?
Getting lost in the incredible noise around AI. Yes, AI will have a huge impact on our industry but digital marketers live in a world of constant change and evolution – embrace it!
What has been your proudest career achievement to-date?
My time growing and shaping Epiphany through to the final sale to Jaywing is still the thing I’m most proud of. Seeing the careers those involved at the time have gone on to achieve is incredibly rewarding.
What’s your favourite album of all-time and movie?
Album would be ‘Ship arriving too late to save a drowning witch by Frank Zappa’ and film (I’m a huge film fan) would be a tie between Star Wars episode 4, Interstellar and Terrible Joe Moran.
AI – What’s Good and What’s Bad?
Good would be the time saving tools being provided to marketers and bad would be the hype and hyperbole.
About Rob…
Rob Shaw is the CEO of HUB, an independent, integrated marketing agency based in Leeds. He has previously been CEO of a number of notable agencies including Jaywing PLC, Epiphany Solutions and CreativeRace as well as being on the board of Latitude Group.
He has bought and sold agencies in the UK and Australia. With over 30 years’ experience in marketing and technology Rob has managed services for some of the UK’s largest brands including Lloyds Bank, Pets at Hone, ASDA, Greggs, Pepsi, Mattel and O2.
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