Chris Donnelly: The Entrepreneurial Visionary Transforming Digital Marketing and Later Life Care
Chris Donnelly is a name that resonates strongly within the UK entrepreneurial landscape. Renowned as an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and investor, Donnelly has charted an extraordinary career path from founding a digital marketing agency at university to co-founding Lottie, a revolutionary health tech company. His story is one of innovation, determination, and a deep commitment to personal and business growth. This article delves into the life and achievements of Chris Donnelly, exploring his entrepreneurial journey, his role with Lottie, his roots in Belfast, and his collaborations with notable figures like Ben Askins.
The Early Journey of Chris Donnelly: From University Start-Up to Industry Leader
Chris Donnelly’s entrepreneurial story began early. At just 21 years old, while still at university, he took a bold step that many would shy away from: he skipped a traditional corporate job offer to launch his own digital marketing agency, initially named Adjust Media. The agency began humbly, creating websites for small clients, but Donnelly’s vision was ambitious.
By the age of 22, Donnelly rebranded Adjust Media to Verb Brands, setting his sights on the luxury market. This rebranding marked the beginning of what would become one of the UK’s leading luxury digital marketing agencies. Verb Brands quickly gained traction, acquiring DBD Media Ltd by the time Donnelly was 27, expanding its staff and broadening its digital marketing capabilities.
Under his leadership, Verb Brands secured prestigious clients, including Bugatti and Jimmy Choo, distinguishing itself as a top-tier agency in the luxury segment. By the age of 30, Donnelly had successfully sold Verb Brands to Croud and LDC in a highly lucrative eight-figure deal, cementing his reputation as a formidable entrepreneur.
Chris Donnelly and Lottie: Innovating Later Life Care
Following his success with Verb Brands, Donnelly ventured into an entirely different sector. In 2021, alongside Will Donnelly, he co-founded Lottie, a SaaS-enabled marketplace designed to help individuals and families find appropriate later life care options.
Lottie is an innovative platform addressing a critical social need—supporting the growing elderly population in finding suitable care homes and retirement living arrangements. The company quickly established itself as a leader in the health tech space, raising $35 million in venture capital funding and achieving a nine-figure valuation.
This venture exemplifies Donnelly’s ability to identify untapped market opportunities and create solutions that combine technology with human-centric care. Lottie’s rapid growth and substantial investment underscore its potential to transform the care industry in the UK and beyond.
The Belfast Roots: A Foundation of Resilience and Ambition
Although Chris Donnelly operates primarily out of London, his roots trace back to Belfast, Northern Ireland. His upbringing in Belfast has played a formative role in shaping his approach to business and life.
Belfast is a city known for its resilient spirit, entrepreneurial energy, and a strong sense of community—qualities that Donnelly carries into his ventures. This background has influenced his work ethic, his willingness to take risks, and his commitment to creating meaningful impact through his businesses.
His connection to Belfast remains a source of pride, reflecting the broader narrative of Northern Irish entrepreneurs making significant contributions to the UK’s economic landscape.
Collaboration with Ben Askins: The Wake Up Podcast and Beyond
Chris Donnelly’s influence extends beyond his business ventures into the realm of content creation and personal development. One of his key collaborators is Ben Askins, an entrepreneur and content creator known for addressing workplace culture, leadership, and personal growth.
Together, Donnelly and Askins co-host The Wake Up Podcast, a platform dedicated to helping listeners take control of their lives and careers. The podcast features candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and creators, offering listeners practical advice and inspiring stories.
The partnership between Donnelly and Askins highlights their shared commitment to empowering individuals to realise their potential. Their combined expertise brings a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development that resonates with a growing audience.
Chris Donnelly’s Latest Ventures: Empowering Growth through Education and Innovation
Chris Donnelly’s entrepreneurial journey continues to evolve with a series of exciting new projects focused on growth, education, and technology.
Lovable and Fractional Growth: Exploring New Frontiers
In May 2025, Chris Donnelly took on a part-time role with Lovable, a company innovating in the space of app and website creation through AI-powered chat technology. This venture reflects Donnelly’s interest in cutting-edge digital solutions and his ability to embrace emerging technologies that simplify business processes and enhance creativity.
In parallel, he is involved with Fractional Growth, a consultancy model that supports businesses by providing expert leadership on a part-time or project basis. This approach helps companies access high-level strategic support without the commitment of a full-time hire, allowing businesses to scale efficiently.
The Creator Accelerator and Digital Business Accelerator: Transforming Ambitions into Reality
Building on his passion for education and mentorship, Chris Donnelly founded The Creator Accelerator in September 2024. This 10-week transformational programme combines comprehensive curriculum, live coaching calls, interactive clinics led by expert coaches, and a supportive community environment. It is designed to help individuals scale their personal brands, connect deeply with their ideal customers (ICP), develop robust business strategies, and seize large opportunities.
Following this, in May 2025, he launched the Digital Business Accelerator. This programme shares a similar structure but focuses specifically on helping entrepreneurs build, market, and scale their digital businesses effectively within 10 weeks. Both accelerators have quickly become highly sought-after pathways for aspiring and established entrepreneurs looking to grow sustainably.
Author with Penguin Random House: The Wake Up Call
In addition to his entrepreneurial activities, Chris Donnelly is also an author signed with the prestigious Penguin Random House, under the Hay House imprint. His upcoming book, tentatively titled The Wake Up Call, promises to be a practical, step-by-step guide designed to help readers reclaim control of their lives and create more time and freedom.
This book reflects Donnelly’s core message of empowerment and intentional living, and it is highly anticipated within the entrepreneurial and personal development communities.
Hosting the Wake Up Podcast: Real Conversations, Real Growth
Since January 2025, Chris Donnelly has been hosting Wake Up with Chris Donnelly, a podcast dedicated to helping people navigate a rapidly changing world. The show focuses on actionable business and personal advice, aimed at guiding listeners to take back control of their time, energy, and purpose.
Each week, Donnelly interviews some of the most inspiring leaders, creators, and innovators to uncover their strategies, struggles, and unfiltered truths. The podcast isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about turning those stories into practical steps listeners can apply in their own lives and businesses.
Helping others achieve their potential is Donnelly’s primary passion, followed closely by his love for building businesses.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset of Chris Donnelly
What sets Chris Donnelly apart in the crowded field of entrepreneurs is his holistic approach to success. He balances rapid business growth with a focus on personal time and freedom, advocating for a lifestyle that combines achievement with wellbeing.
His journey illustrates several key entrepreneurial principles:
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Start Early and Be Bold: Donnelly began his entrepreneurial career while still a student, demonstrating the importance of taking early action.
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Rebranding and Pivoting: His ability to rebrand and expand Adjust Media into Verb Brands highlights adaptability.
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Value Creation: Building Verb Brands into a luxury agency attracted prestigious clients and culminated in a high-value acquisition.
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Social Impact: Through Lottie, Donnelly channels his entrepreneurial skills into addressing social challenges.
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Community and Mentorship: He invests in other entrepreneurs, sharing knowledge and resources to foster growth.
Conclusion
Chris Donnelly is much more than just an entrepreneur; he is a dynamic force in the UK business scene, combining innovation, leadership, and a passion for helping others. From his beginnings in Belfast to his accomplishments in London’s tech and marketing sectors, Donnelly embodies the spirit of modern entrepreneurship.
His story is inspiring for anyone looking to build a business, scale their brand, or simply take greater control over their personal and professional lives. As he continues to grow his ventures, produce educational content, and empower entrepreneurs, Chris Donnelly remains a figure to watch—and learn from—in the years to come.
