About Debbie
It’s all about me … actually, it’s all about YOU, but this bit is about me.
My name is Debbie Ford and I’ve worked and lived in Chichester for nearly 20 years. 
Interests include photography and indie cinema – and of course Chichester. I’ve been involved with Chichester Cinema at New Park for almost 15 years now – including chair of the board of trustees for over 3 years, I’m now just a regular Trustee with a personal focus on operations and their social media marketing.
I studied marketing and communications and had ambitions of becoming a journalist -teacher-radio production editor. What I actually ended up doing is working for the Rank Organisation for 4 years as a cinema manager at the Odeon in Brighton, and as a trainer working with their new managers. After dabbling in the training sector for a bit, I went back to a marketing role with the excellent Jobsite when they were really just a startup, which was great fun and really opened my eyes to digital marketing.
I was made redundant from Jobsite post 9/11, so took a short-term contract role in the IT department at West Sussex County Council. I ended up being there for 11 years (!) specialising in Change Management on major IT projects. The thought of still being there when I retired really wasn’t for me, so I joined D3R – a digital agency with their HQ here in Chichester.
I was with D3R for almost 3 years in a project/client management role working with prestigious clients across a number of sectors, including:
- Dualit – creator of the iconic toaster
- Corbin & King – they run some of London’s (and the world’s) best-known restaurants, including The Wolseley
- Monica Vinader – much sought after jewellery brand
- Loaf – masters in making your home beautiful
I finally took the plunge to go it alone and launched The Chichester Social in 2016, after helping a number of friends with small businesses get to grips with the wonderful world of social media. And it is wonderful and it will be rewarding for your business too.
If you like what you’ve read so far and fancy a chat? Then do get in touch.
To find out more about my professional background, please do have a look at my LinkedIn profile. My personal Twitter account is also open but please be aware that it is a personal account – so there may be the odd colourful word (sorry dad!) or opinions that you don’t agree with, in the main it is chitter chatter with friends and people or organisations of interest – it’s all about engagement and getting a conversation started. You can see more of my photography on Instagram. I also set up an informal networking group – Last Friday Club – Chichester, learn more here.
We trust Debbie to manage all our social channels for our web design and digital marketing agency. Debbie really understands how to get the most out of social media for our business. She gets that it’s all about engagement and authenticity, not just ‘likes’ and ‘follows’. Never generic or dull, our social feeds have never been so useful, interesting and consistent. Highly recommended!
Thank you to Debbie for coaching me with my digital media, Debbie has a wonderful way of thinking, so many brilliant ideas for content. Anyone that is involved with social media must have Debbie as a coach! Thank you 
… and when you start seeing tangible results it’s such a good feeling!
Super helpful session with Debbie this morning, learnt some top tips which I have taken on board and already putting into practise. A calm and clear teacher with a friendly manner, with the vibe that no question too silly to ask. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending her sessions. Thanks again Debbie.
Debbie was fantastic… I struggle with social media (I only joined Facebook when I started my business a few months ago). Debbie spotted things that I could change quickly and easily as well as guiding me to streamlining my process for all platforms. She is incredibly supportive and I highly recommend her.
I would thoroughly recommend Debbie. I joined one of her social media sessions. I thought she pitched it really well – giving us lots of useful and practical advice whilst creating a forum to ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask! I came away with a renewed confidence in my approach to social media for business.
Debbie really knows her stuff, and has great energy and ideas. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending her to anyone needing some social savvy!
Debbie came and gave a very inspiring talk about Social Media to our networking meeting for The Selsey Business Partnership. She had a wonderful way of engaging with everyone in the room, raising lots of discussion and advised on ways to improve and help with business Social Media – everyone in the room found the tips very helpful whether or not they were regular social media users – highly recommend if you are looking for help with your business or as a speaker for your group.
Thank you for a very informative 121 session on email marketing!
Had a great day at Boston Tea Party Chichester with Debbie from The Chichester Social looking at how we use social media for our business, and the best tips to improve our social media presence – highly recommended 👍
For any business that needs a bit of Social Marketing Savvy, do get in touch with Debbie at The Chichester Social. She’s ace, and is most passionate about our local independents and entrepreneurs!
Had a brilliant catch up and strategy session with Debbie from The Chichester Social. She reminded me that this time last year, South Coast Mermaids didn’t exist and encouraged me to reflect on the progress I have made! Thank you Debbie!
Debbie gave a very interesting and inspiring talk to the Selsey Business Partnership members last week. She remembered everybody’s name and their type of business and brought that into the talk, which made it very personal to everybody there. many thanks Debbie, Sue and Tom Celebration Balloons 4 You
Debbie is a mine of knowledge. Your talk has given me a lot if ideas and inspiration as to the direction I want my business to go in.
Thank you