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.

“Deborah is awesome!”

Ben DavisCEO & co-founder – Pallant Digital

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.

Tracey GlitheroLocal Life Magazine - Selsey Business Partnership

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

Sue MortimerOwner: 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

Shaun RainbowOwner: Oriel Windows