Simon Wilby is not your stereotypical marketing director, and perhaps that’s exactly why his story resonates. Simon Wilby, Director at Wilby Jones Limited, didn’t always speak the fluent language of marketing jargon or attend seminars on customer personas. In fact, Simon Wilby confesses that as recently as twelve months ago, marketing to him seemed like “voodoo to be frequented by satan worshippers only.” Yet, it’s precisely this outsider perspective that has fuelled a more honest, informed, and transparent approach to how Wilby Jones Limited communicates with its clients and the wider market.
Simon Wilby’s journey into marketing didn’t begin with glossy brochures or elaborate brand campaigns. It started with a simple but powerful conversation. Connor Jones, his colleague, approached him with conviction and a clear vision “Mate, we can get this to £5m on sales alone. If we want to challenge with the big boys, we need marketing.” That moment, combined with the quiet wisdom of Simon Wilby’s wife who advised that if Connor was excited, he had surely done his research became the catalyst for Simon Wilby to dive headfirst into a world he once viewed with scepticism.
What makes Simon Wilby’s story inspiring isn’t just the late-career pivot into marketing but the attitude with which he embraced it. Rather than succumbing to gimmicks or hollow promises, Simon Wilby focused on what he naturally gravitates toward understanding human behaviour and psychology. His fascination with how people think and make decisions became the cornerstone of Wilby Jones Limited’s marketing strategy. Simon Wilby quickly discovered that at the heart of meaningful marketing lies not manipulation, but clarity and value.
In the world of R&D tax relief claims a landscape often cluttered with exaggerated promises and dubious claims Simon Wilby saw an opportunity. He realised how crucial it is to deliver messages that are both accurate and transparent. A quick online search for “risk free R&D claims” yields an overwhelming number of adverts promoting zero-risk, obligation-free services. Simon Wilby understood that this not only misleads clients but damages trust in the entire sector.
Rather than following that tired path, Simon Wilby decided to advocate for informative marketing. His philosophy is simple yet often overlooked companies that educate, provide real value, and openly share knowledge are infinitely more trustworthy. That is why Simon Wilby and his team are happy to show their detailed reports to any prospective client and actively share insights gleaned from their interactions with HMRC. For Simon Wilby, marketing is not about smoke and mirrors; it is about equipping clients with the information they need to make confident decisions.
Transparency is not just a buzzword for Simon Wilby it’s an operational principle. Together with Connor, Simon Wilby has instilled this value not just in external communications but within the Wilby Jones Limited team itself. Every publication, report, and conversation reflects their commitment to openness and accuracy. This ethos creates not just informed clients but empowered teams who understand the importance of honesty in every interaction.
Interestingly, Simon Wilby’s evolving perspective on marketing also sharpens his eye for poor examples of the practice. In a recent reflection, he shared an instance of a marketing mishap nearly as infamous as Catax’s £84bn unclaimed R&D figure fiasco. His verdict? Even the sausage roll he sampled that day was “average at best.” It’s a subtle reminder from Simon Wilby that inflated promises whether in food or financial services leave a bitter aftertaste.
What Simon Wilby has built over the past year is more than just a marketing strategy. It is a testament to what happens when curiosity meets integrity. Without prior formal training, Simon Wilby embraced marketing with humility, a willingness to learn, and a deep respect for the people he serves. He demonstrates that you don’t need a background in advertising or a shelf full of marketing awards to succeed; what you need is an honest story and the courage to tell it clearly.
Simon Wilby’s approach also sends a valuable message to entrepreneurs and business leaders alike it is never too late to acquire new skills or reimagine how your business connects with its audience. More importantly, as Simon Wilby shows, marketing does not have to be synonymous with exaggeration or artifice. When handled with care, it can be a vehicle for education, transparency, and trust.
Today, Simon Wilby continues to shape Wilby Jones Limited’s marketing ethos with the same principles that guided his initial steps into the field clarity, value, and openness. It is no coincidence that his story resonates with so many because Simon Wilby’s path reflects something deeply human. We are all capable of growth and reinvention, especially when our motives are anchored in service to others.
In a business world that often rewards loudness over substance, Simon Wilby stands as a quiet example of how thoughtful, transparent marketing can not only win clients but build long-term relationships. And if there’s one thing to take away from Simon Wilby’s journey, it is that success doesn’t require flashy promises it requires understanding, honesty, and the confidence to share knowledge openly.
By embracing these values, Simon Wilby has not only grown into a capable marketer but has also redefined what marketing can be in a sector that desperately needs clarity. As he continues on this path, it is clear that Simon Wilby is less interested in following trends and more focused on building trust one informed client at a time.
