1 Dec 2025 Business Buddies

Business Movement Spotlight on Paladin Marketing

As part of The Kirkwood’s Business Movement, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Paladin Marketing, a Huddersfield born agency proving that simplicity, clarity and straight-talking strategy still cut through in a crowded digital world.

Founded in 2020 by Alisdair Straughan, Paladin took shape in the middle of the pandemic and has since grown from a kitchen-table idea into a trusted partner for national brands, challenger businesses and ambitious organisations across the UK. Alisdair’s unconventional career, from Huddersfield Town to McLaren Automotive, Emirates Airline and leading Leeds agencies, sparked a belief that marketing doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. Lockdown gave him the chance to build something that lived up to that idea.

By mid 2021, Paladin had an office in Huddersfield, a senior, close knit team and a clear mission: make digital marketing simple, so brands can see exactly how to grow. That senior first approach has become one of the agency’s biggest strengths, helping attract an impressive roster of clients including international food brands Kohinoor and New Kenji, luxury living and interiors companies, Greens commercial kitchens and major local names through partnerships with Huddersfield Town, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Huddersfield Giants and AMT Auto.

 

What truly sets Paladin apart is The Edge, its proprietary framework that strips out the guesswork and gives clients a clear path forward. From that strategy first base, the team delivers PPC, SEO, paid and organic social, content, PR, influencer campaigns, sports activations and increasingly, AI-driven tools. Around 95% of the work is digital, supported by an in house design capability for brand and campaign creative. Clients value Paladin’s clarity, honesty and results, and the agency’s high pitch-win rate and long-term partnerships speak for themselves.

On having Alisdair as part of The Kirkwood Business Movement, The Kirkwood's Business Movement Development Manager Beverley Shaw commented: “We’re proud to highlight Paladin as part of The Kirkwood’s Business Movement because they show what’s possible when expertise, creativity and purpose come together. Their passion for helping organisations grow, shines through in everything they do, and their commitment to supporting the local community makes them a perfect fit for our network. It’s inspiring to see a business thrive while staying so firmly rooted in its values.”

Looking ahead, Paladin continues to build with intent. AI is already enhancing efficiency across the agency, and recruitment remains focused on nurturing a strong senior foundation with room for future growth. Huddersfield is firmly home not a compromise, but a cultural advantage. As Alisdair puts it, “We attract people who want to be here.”

Away from work, Alisdair is a dad of three, youth coach and co-creator of the family card game Campfire, another venture fuelled by strategy, creativity and the occasional moment of chaos.

From national brands to back garden kickabouts, Paladin Marketing carries the same belief at its core: make things clear, make them work, and make them count.

Want to join The Kirkwood's Business Movement the click HERE to get on board.