Ouma, the Swansea-founded strategic growth partner, has strengthened its senior leadership team, with Rhys John becoming a partner in the business alongside founders Rachel Lyndon-Jones and Ross Jones, and experienced marketer Tom Barker FCIM joining as Chief Strategy Officer.
The appointments reflect a business that has grown quickly over the past year. Ouma’s team has expanded from 10 to 15 over the past 12 months, in addition to its delivery capabilities with the launch of the Ouma Expert Network – a curated network with hundreds of specialist freelancers and consultants across the UK that the business can call on around individual client needs. The company is currently recruiting for two further in-house roles, Marketing Manager and Paid Media Executive, as it continues to build out its Swansea base.
The expansion follows a run of new client wins across 2026, including Heliotec, Zizzi’s, ASK Italian, Benchmark International and Bassetts Group, alongside continued work across Ouma’s existing portfolio.
Rhys John becomes partner
Rhys John, who joined Ouma in 2024 as Chief Operating Officer, has become a partner in the business, joining Ross Jones (Chief Executive Officer) and Rachel Lyndon-Jones (Chief Marketing Officer) as a shareholder and partner. Rhys has been central to Ouma’s operational growth, overseeing the systems, delivery and commercial discipline behind the business as it’s scaled.
“Rhys has been instrumental in building the operational backbone that’s allowed Ouma to scale the way we have this year,” said Ross Jones, CEO and Co-Founder. “Making him a partner isn’t a symbolic gesture, it reflects the role he already plays in shaping where this business goes next.”
Tom Barker FCIM joins as Chief Strategy Officer
Ouma has also strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Tom Barker FCIM as Chief Strategy Officer. A CIM Fellow with extensive senior industry experience from his time at Entain and MediaCom, Tom brings a strong external profile to the business.
“What attracted me to Ouma was the opportunity to build a new micro agency model – a senior strategic core, backed by a specialist network, rather than the bloated structures most agencies default to,” said Tom Barker. “There’s a real opportunity to build something that reflects how businesses actually want to work with a growth partner.”
The appointments come as Ouma continues to build its international presence, with further announcements expected in the coming months.
“Rhys and Tom joining the leadership team reflects where Ouma is now, not just where we’ve come from,” said Rachel Lyndon-Jones, CMO and Co-Founder. “Our clients need more than disconnected marketing activity; they need strategic partners who understand how growth connects across the whole business. Building the right senior team means we can keep delivering that thinking as Ouma scales.”
