SMART Garden Rooms, Offices & Studios, the leading Suffolk manufacturer of quality outdoor buildings, has announced the successful recruitment of its first-ever digital director.   

Dan Bowler joined the Thurston-based company recently, having previously acted as SMART’s digital marketing consultant via his own company Norris Media (formally Premier Digital Marketing). In that time, Dan has helped transform SMART’s online marketing activities, y reconfiguring the company’s online channels to place them at the centre of its all-important customer service, acquisition and sales and marketing strategies.

Matt Moss, SMART’s managing director, said: “Even in the three years since our management buyout, we’ve seen a considerable shift in the relative importance of digital platforms compared with more traditional ways of engaging with customers and prospective customers.  

“It’s clear that our target audience are very social media-confident and so we have invested in ensuring that the SMART offer is front and centre wherever they may be.  

“Dan has achieved a huge amount for us in this regard during his time with us as a consultant. In order for SMART to remain at the sharp end in the effective us of new technologies as the country’s market-leading quality building manufacturer, we’re delighted to be able to use even more of his skills and experiences in this exciting new role.”  

Dan himself added: “I was previously part of the SMART team as a consultant, where I saw first-hand their incredible focus on quality in everything they do. That’s why I’m delighted to be the company’s first Digital Director, where I aim to transform SMART’s sales and marketing with new technologies and ideas.” 

Since the management buyout in May 2019, SMART has become one of the region’s and one of the sector’s fastest growing businesses. In that time, it has more than doubled its headcount – including significant increases in its customer service and installation capacities, invested in low-emission vehicles and processes and expanded its product range.

SMART has also expanded its corporate social responsibility activities, donating both high quality rooms and staff time to support Suffolk-based charities, community groups and schools.