About me

My name is Michelle Passfield.

And I am withMichelle!

I am a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualified professional, with expertise in marketing planning, strategy, communications and business development.

I launched my Southend-based marketing business, withMichelle in 2019, providing strategic marketing planning advice and skills training for small businesses. I pride myself on giving each client the clarity they need to market and grow their business profitability.

Before this, my extensive marketing career spanned over two decades. I have worked in both the public and private sectors, spending 15 years with London-based international law firms and a marketing agency. I have also worked for Anglia Ruskin University and as a senior marketing communications adviser for a local authority.

My vast experience also includes organising and hosting events, from training seminar programmes, to conferences, exhibitions and networking. I also manage corporate hospitality events, curator talks and private views at galleries and museums in London, including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the National Point Gallery, the V&A and the Globe Theatre.

To complement these skills, I recently launched my new withMichelle event series that provides a unique opportunity to connect with people. Plus, a withMichelle collective of marketing specialists with the aim to optimise our services for clients throughout Essex.

Why do I do what I do?

I feel I have a responsibility to provide people with the right marketing advice and training. I thrive on helping businesses succeed with their marketing. And because …

I love marketing!

Some other stuff about me

As much as I value my professional life, health, wellbeing and having fun are equally important to me.

My love of the arts started in the 1990s. I moved to Westcliff-on-Sea in 2007 and - from the moment I arrived, I immersed myself in the local creative and cultural communities! How? In 2023 I featured in the Leigh Art Trail as a member of Estuary Writers. I am a member of the Focal Point Gallery Advisory Group, a contemporary visual arts organisation in Southend-on-Sea. I often attend arts, creative and cultural events throughout Essex. I recently became a member of ign!te Chelmsford.

I am also involved with supporting and advising Southend-based communities, projects, charities and non-profit organisations.

One of my proudest achievements is setting up a support group for those suffering with mental health issues in the workplace, ‘WellbeingMatters’ and producing a mental health short film ‘Circle of Support’, which featured in the 2019 Southend Film Festival.

I am the voluntary Southend leader for B.A.B.E (Black and Being Essex), which is a community of black women throughout Essex that share resources and hosts events.

I have featured as a speaker for Black History Month and a Welcome to the UK conference, a charity that supports families from overseas who have recently arrived in Essex. I’ve recently featured in a poetic documentary, ‘Generelation’ featuring the stories and truths of community members across London and Essex who were present in 1948 to 1973.

I love socialising with my husband and friends, eating out, going to the cinema, theatre and live events. And coffee catch-ups! Plus, I make time for a weekly visit to the gym and playing over 40s women’s walking football!

For more on what I get up to, follow me on Instagram!