I’m Dan. Conifer is me, and that’s the point.
Eleven years in organic search, from apprentice to Head of Organic Search, at agencies of every size. I started Conifer so businesses can work with that experience directly, without the agency layers in between.

The short version
I started out at 18 as a digital marketing apprentice at a Manchester recruitment firm, and I’ve been doing SEO ever since. That’s taken me through a 30-person Manchester agency, a large international agency group, a nine-person London team and two head-of-department roles, most recently leading organic search at Hallam.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that change is the only constant. Algorithms shift, platforms come and go, and now AI is rewriting how people find things. I’ve seen first-hand how frustrating that is for businesses trying to keep up.
So Conifer works from the other end: marketing first principles, behavioural science and a proper understanding of the people you’re trying to reach. The technology keeps changing, but it keeps rewarding the same thing, which is brands that connect with their audience. Build on that, and your strategy doesn’t need tearing up every time Google sneezes.
How I work
1
Listen first
Before touching anything, I get to know your business, your customers and your data: sales calls, reviews, Search Console, and the forums your customers actually post in.
2
No fluffy agency talk
If the real problem isn’t the one you hired me for, I’ll tell you. Kindly, but I’ll tell you.
3
Yours to keep
Everything is documented and handed over. You’re never stuck depending on me to keep it running.
4
Built to last
The real test is whether it’s still working in eighteen months.
Eleven years, briefly
From apprentice to head of department, then out on my own.
Talks, awards and training
Speaking
Manchester DM #13 (most recent), Nottingham Digital Summit, BetterB2B, Figaro Digital, TechSEO North, OPUS.
Awards
Helped win Best LLM Adoption & Integration by an Agency at the European Search Awards 2026, with Hallam.
Training
Mini MBA in Marketing (Mark Ritson, 2025). ILM Diploma in Team Leadership, Distinction.
Fancy a chat?
Half an hour, no slides, no questionnaire. Just a conversation about what’s going on and whether I can help.