Meet our team

Allie Astell

Founder, Executive Director

I founded Manage My Website back in 2009, building our first ever website on Squarespace 5. Since then I’ve created and project managed more websites on this platform than I could ever have imagined and I'm also a Squarespace trainer.

What I love most about my work is the variety of people I meet, both face-to-face and virtually. Many of our clients have also become friends. 

Born in Morocco to a Syrian mother and English father, as a child I travelled much of the world with my parents. The travel bug never left me. I currently base myself between Bath and London, England and Dahab, Egypt.

Another major passion of mine is iPhone photography, some of which you can see here and on my personal website.

Joe Cory

Creative Director, Technical Lead

I am a website designer and developer and have been for the past 7 years. As the Creative Director I not only build and design our clients sites but I help our group of trusted freelancers to make site edits as well. I love building out websites for clients and the challenge that sometimes comes with that, being able to deliver a project to someone that will help them build their business or advertise their work is a great feeling!

I have been working with Manage My Website for around 5 years now. Allie and I have collaborated on thousands of projects including our own Manage My Website... website! Although this was built over 3 years ago, it is still to this day one of my top 3 websites I have ever built!

Claire Geldard

PA and Client Support Manager

I first met MMW founder, Allie, as a graduate in my first Account Executive role in Milton Keynes. Since then I have gained 20 years' experience in the advertising, media and events world (and ended up living back in the same city as Allie!).

I'm PA and Client Support Manager at MMW, which means I support Allie with all aspects of account management, from proposals, to SEO projects and helping to run our practical one-day workshops.

Since working with MMW, I have seen how versatile the Squarespace platform is and spend more and more time working directly on web design projects which is quickly becoming my favourite pastime.

When not finely tuning my Squarespace skills, I love reading, baking and running.

Donna Bateman

Senior Project Manager, Legal Specialist

For over 20 years I worked at the sharp-end of public service, specialising in operations and policy development, and project management. I know what it’s like to start something from a blank sheet of paper, and the trials and tribulations, sweat and tears, of bringing a new product or service to fruition.

I now work with Allie on those projects which require something extra – web design plus, I suppose. I love working hands-on with clients whether that’s helping them develop a germ of an idea or an outline plan, or hone a well-established strategy to enhance user experience of their website.

I’m inquisitive and like to push the boundaries of what Squarespace can do. I approach each project as though it’s my own and I’m immensely proud of what the team have been able to achieve for our wide range of clients.

Carl Johnson

Squarespace Website Developer & Trainer

I started playing around with Squarespace back in 2013 as a hobby. At the time I was working for PlayStation as a Technical Requirements tester and I used my time off between shifts to fully embrace learning how to customise Squarespace with HTML, CSS and Javascript.

I learn well when I have a real interest in a subject and seeing the results of the coding that I was applying to Squarespace further spurred on my thirst to learn more. As my development skills progressed I began to pick up more and more work designing and building websites on Squarespace, and in 2016 I turned my hobby into a career and became a full time freelance Squarespace developer, trainer and consultant. I’ve also got a nerdy obsession with Adobe software and I can often be found working on projects in Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro (I love video editing) and Adobe XD.

I joined MMW in 2019 after Allie found me, talking nonsense on YouTube.

Fiona Nickless

Social Media Manager

I’m a Social Media Manager at MMW which means I’m in charge of crafting the social media marketing for the team and our clients. As well as being a specialist Facebook Marketer, I’ve spent years fine tuning a strong set of creative skills.

I have expertise in content creation and am a proud designer of many a polished Instagram feed! Squarespace showcases visual businesses really well, so it’s brilliant to be able to offer the same quality of design to MMW’s clients who require social media marketing too.

I live in Surrey, not too far from London. I love to spend weekends walking in our local countryside, which is an excellent digital detox, if only a temporary one!

Mark Williams

Editor & Content Writer

I’ve been a writer and editor for 25 years, having worked for some of the UK’s leading content agencies on behalf of many of the world’s most successful brands.

Most of the content I’ve produced in the past 15 years has been aimed at small businesses and I wrote for The Guardian Small Business Network for four years. I’ve interviewed thousands of small-business owners and most have interesting stories to tell.

I’ve also written about football, aviation, music, food, tourism and travel. As well as award-winning magazines and websites, national newspapers and Sunday supplements have published my words. Favourite job? I grew up in Anfield in Liverpool and I’m honoured to have been deputy editor of Liverpool FC’s matchday publication.

SimSim

Office Cat

I know absolutely nothing about web design, social media or online marketing.

I walked into Allie's garden one day as a young kitten and refused to leave, so really she had no choice but to keep me. I think she likes me now. 

I'm a great hunter, and I’m not afraid of big dogs. A Rottweiler lives near my house and I like to taunt it sometimes. I’m kind of crazy like that. 

I enjoy climbing, eating, and sleeping but occasionally you can also find me playing with chargers for important electrical devices and occasionally destroying them. My favourite food is Royal Canin Fit 32.