From Administrator to Marketing Manager: 8 Years at GeoSmart with Lily

In 2017, Lily Jordan joined GeoSmart Information as a Sales Administrator. Eight years later, she’s now the company’s Marketing Manager, a role that combines strategy, creativity, analysis, and a deep understanding of the environmental consultancy space. Her journey through the business reflects not only personal development, but also the evolving nature of GeoSmart as a company.

To mark the milestone, Lily took a moment to look back, and ahead.

A start in Sales

“When I first joined GeoSmart, I had never heard of a Flood Risk Assessment or SuDS strategy! However, I quickly saw how much care and expertise went into the work we do. The reports we produce help people unlock planning permission, buy property with confidence, and build more sustainably, and that felt meaningful.”

Lily started in a sales administration role, speaking directly with architects, developers, and consultants. It was a fast-paced environment, and she credits the early years in sales with giving her a strong grounding in customer needs, planning processes, and GeoSmart’s technical offering.

“That time taught me how to speak the language of our clients,” she says. “You learn how to listen properly, how to explain something complex in a simple way, and how to spot what really matters to someone.”

Transitioning to Marketing

Over time, Lily began taking on more responsibilities outside of sales, from writing email campaigns to helping refresh presentation decks and supporting CPD delivery. She found herself drawn to the brand and communication side of the business.

“I’ve always been both a creative and analytical person,” she says. “I started to see how marketing could help us explain the value of our services more clearly, not just to win work, but to educate people about the importance of strong environmental planning.”

In 2023, Lily officially moved into a full-time marketing role, and in early 2025 she stepped up to the role of Marketing Manager. It’s a role that spans brand development, digital campaigns, content strategy, product positioning, and supporting the wider team with communications.

She now leads GeoSmart’s marketing efforts alongside a growing team, working closely with colleagues across operations and business development.

Highlights and Challenges

When asked about her proudest moments, Lily points to the evolution of GeoSmart’s brand identity and tone of voice over the past couple of years.

“We’ve worked hard to make the brand feel more approachable while still being credible,” she says. “Environmental risk reporting can be quite technical, but we want people to feel confident navigating it. That’s meant refining how we write content, how we design materials, and how we show up online.”

She’s also proud of the internal collaboration that’s shaped recent campaigns and product launches. “The best ideas come from working cross-functionally, whether it’s launching new CPD topics, running campaigns for planners or architects, or improving the way we explain a product,” she adds.

Of course, there have been challenges along the way, especially during transitions between roles.

“Switching from sales to marketing was a big shift in mindset,” Lily admits. “You move from quick wins and personal targets to longer-term goals and collective impact. It took time to adjust, but I’ve had great support from the management team and the wider team.”

Reflections on company culture

GeoSmart has changed a lot over the years – new faces, new services, new markets – but Lily says the positive culture has remained consistent.

“It’s a place where ideas are welcomed, and people are trusted to grow,” she says. “There’s a genuine interest in learning and improving, whether that’s developing better products or finding new ways to support our clients.”

She’s also enjoyed seeing more collaboration between departments. “Marketing used to be seen as a completely separate function, now it’s much more embedded.”

Looking ahead

Lily is excited about what’s next, both for herself and for GeoSmart.

“We’re in a strong position to build on what we’ve done; to create better content, smarter tools, and clearer guidance that helps people navigate complex planning and property decisions,” she says.

Her current focus is on developing persona-led campaigns in the next financial year, enhancing the customer journey, and supporting the team with marketing insights. She’s also working alongside the Marketing team on a new website.

“I want us to keep simplifying the complex; to make our knowledge more accessible without losing the technical rigour,” she says.

Final thoughts

Eight years at one company is a rare milestone in today’s working world. For Lily, it’s been the right mix of stability and challenge, familiarity and growth.

“There’s always been something new to learn or a new project to get stuck into,” she says. “And I’ve had the chance to shape my role along the way – that’s made a huge difference.”

Asked what advice she’d give to someone starting out at GeoSmart today: “Be curious. Ask questions. Get to know people across the business. And don’t be afraid to put your hand up for something, even if it’s outside your job description. That’s often where the best opportunities come from.”