Our team

Yes, it’s about technology, but the team operating it is of equal importance. The best results are dependent on insight, expertise and flair. At The Exchange Lab we have a management team with over 40 years digital experience between them and a proven track record of delivering results and innovation to the market.

Management:

Tim Webster, Founder & Managing Director

Tim founded The Exchangelab inspired by what he saw as the most effective route to market for advertisers after more than 12 years of online experience across publishers, ad-serving technologies and networks.

He started his career online in 1999 as part of the pre-launch team at Ask Jeeves soon becoming Head of Commercial Operations controlling all ad operations and revenue forecasting. He worked along side the Heads of Sales to commercialize new product offerings to increase revenue efficiency across the site.

In 2002 Tim moved to Atlas, a third party buy side ad serving technology. Here as part of the European launch team he developed the service offering, rapidly growing the team across Europe and establishing Atlas as the market leader. His success led him to become Operations Director of Atlas and also its sister company Mediabrokers, the first blind Network in the UK. Tim utilised his technology and commercial experience to increase revenue to the business, increasing margins to 60% and leverage efficiencies across the 25 strong operations group.

Following the acquisition of the two companies by Aquantive, he migrated to the Media Initiatives Group where he launched a new concept of behaviorally targeted ad products and after a very short time assumed the role of MD for Accelerator Media, the performance network division of the MIG group.

Tim's leadership and pioneering qualities are set to continue to grow The Exchange Lab as the markets leading exchange specialist.

James Aitken, Investor & market maker

James decided to take a hands on approach to his investment in the Exchange lab and is currently helping to grow Exchange Lab into North America and other markets. He is still Chairman of the Digital Tribe L.P. Group of companies where he helps to operate the investment/venture capital arm of 'The Digital Tribe L.P' which invests in start-up digital media businesses. Investments thus far are, The Exchange lab, The Trade Desk, The Digital Tribe Agency, Appsavvy & Adconian.

Previously James founded MediaBrokers in 2001 which helped web publishers monetize their unsold online media space and Technology Brokers which had the exclusive license to Atlas ad serving solutions in Europe. Both businesses were acquired by aQuantive L.L.C and ultimately by Microsoft in June 2007.

Previously he was media Director for Avenue A Media in London, after being part of the intial start-up & IPO of the Avenue A Media in Seattle (formerly RazorFish), USA in 1998. Originally from Canada, James’s previous career was in reforestation ... where he co- founded and managed Renaissance Reforestation in 1993 before selling the business in 1996.

Michelle Hilditch, Director

Joining the Exchange lab as Director in 2008 Michelle has over 11 years of digital experience across publisher & advertiser technologies, management, sales & client services.

Michelle started her online career at 24/7 Real Media account managing the publisher technology portfolio from contracts through to client retention & product upsell including winning the technology account for No. 10 Downing Street (office of the e-envoy) a flagship project set up by Tony Blair to ensure all government departments were online within one year.

After 4 years and gaining substantial industry & commercial experience she joined Atlas as an account director, where she quickly progressed to managing senior level relationships at leading global agency groups & was responsible for the single largest revenue growth in agency billing. In parallel Michelle created & led a team of account managers, trainers and ad operations executives who successfully grew market share at medium sized & independent agencies. She was a key player in the dynamic team that quadroupled Atlas' ad serving market share to 52% in the 3 years prior to acquisition. Seeking new opportunities to bring cutting edge technologies to market, Michelle spent a year with Phorm as Director of Advertising developing the go-to-market strategy & building the commercial sales team, before starting her current role at The Exchange lab.

Michelle holds a BA Hons in Politics & Economics.

Emma Loisel, Advisor & steady hand

Emma is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Investor in high growth ventures. Her management expertise spans business leadership and strategy, risk management, marketing (particularly online) and sales. Emma’s investment experience includes M&A due diligence, deal structuring and exit.

Emma began her career as a Criminologist before moving to the City as the Business Manager of KPMG Consulting UK, followed by Chief Operations Officer of Metrius, a Creative Consulting agency start-up under the KPMG umbrella. In 2003 Emma became the Chief Operations Officer of Atlas Europe and Mediabrokers, which were acquired by aQuantive LLC. Since exiting these businesses in 2007 Emma has been investing in ventures and provides Board and advisory services. Emma is a regular mentor and judge at London Business School for the Entrepreneurial Faculty.