As the Grumpy Old SEO, I’m known for cutting through industry noise, challenging outdated assumptions, and explaining the future of search in a way that both experts and non-experts actually understand.
My talks focus on what really matters today: AI search, LLM visibility, and the shift from websites to answers—and how marketers can stop chasing hacks and start building real competitive advantage again.
Below is a selection of recent speaking engagements and events I’ve hosted.
Host: SEO Roundtable Nottingham
(December 2024 & June 2025)
The SEO Roundtable is deliberately not your typical SEO event.
No keynote theatre. No sales pitches. No carousel of 20-minute talks nobody remembers.
Instead, it’s an open, honest exchange between practitioners and experts—real conversations about what’s happening in SEO, AI search, and digital strategy in the Nottingham community.
Proudly sponsored by Majestic, with incredible contributions from Dixon Jones and Steve Pitchford, who helped make the events not only insightful but genuinely enjoyable.
Speaker: Nottingham DM – June 2025
Talk: “AI and the Impact on Search”
At Nottingham Digital Marketing (Nottingham DM), I shared the stage with the brilliant Sophie Logan, who delivered a sharp talk on “Why Your Marketing Sucks and What You Can Do About It.”
My session focused on the reality behind the hype:
- What AI search is actually changing
- How user behaviour is shifting
- What this means for SEO, brands, and visibility
- And why marketers need to stop solving yesterday’s problems
The event was expertly organised by Emma Glover from Victress and sponsored by Evoluted.
Speaker: Room 301 Live
Talk: “From Clicks to Clarity”
Room 301 Live brings together people who care about doing marketing properly—and are tired of the nonsense.
I joined Tim Elliot, whose talk “It’s Hard to Make Marketing Easy (and Easy to Make Marketing Hard)” was a masterclass in stripping marketing back to what matters.
My session explored how SEO is shifting from a game of clicks to a game of clarity, credibility, and context—especially in a world where LLMs curate the answers before anyone sees the website.
A huge thanks to Rob Twells and the team at The Digital Maze for organising and sponsoring this event.
Podcast Guest Appearances
I’m a recurring guest on Room 301 Podcast, where we dive into the messy realities of SEO, AI, and modern marketing.
Here’s one of my appearances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oukJAYesMws
I’ve also joined Craig Campbell’s Digital Marketing Podcast, discussing the state of SEO and what AI search will (and won’t) change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAUTHPTkJEs
Workshops & Education
Beyond conferences and podcasts, I regularly deliver workshops and training sessions for companies across Europe. Topics include:
- How AI and LLMs are reshaping user journeys
- What brands must do to stay visible in AI search
- How to adapt SEO strategies for AI Overviews and ChatGPT
- Moving from page-based optimisation to knowledge-based optimisation
- Practical frameworks teams can apply immediately
Whether it’s a team of five or a room of 200, my focus is always the same:
give people clarity, not buzzwords.
Want to book the Grumpy Old SEO?
If you’re looking for a speaker who delivers honest insights, real experience, and a refreshing lack of sugar-coating, get in touch.
I speak on:
- AI Search & LLM Visibility
- The future of SEO
- AI Overviews (GEO)
- Digital marketing trends that actually matter
- How brands can stand out when answers—not pages—are the product