Our Founders
S8080 is an independent agency set up in 2000 by Chris Cowell and Matt Howard. Being very hands-on, Chris and Matt will kick-off most projects and run the alignment and UX phases with you.
They have 40 years of industry experience between them working on digital projects for COI, Ministry of Justice, Visit Wales, BBC, Adobe, Expedia and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Chris Cowell- Creative Director
Chris is the Creative Director at S8080 and started the company with Matt way back in 2000. Before that, Chris ran a digital design and illustration studio, working on projects for BA, Clarks Shoes, 20th Century Fox and Tesco.
Chris oversees all creative output at S8080 having worked on digital projects for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, O2, Capital 1, BBC, COI, Ministry of Justice, Ryder Cup Wales, NHS and Expedia. Chris was responsible for Visit Wales's Wales1000things campaign and the recent re-launch of the new Audit Commission website.
With a career spanning 22 years, 10 of those purely digital, his experience covers digital branding, user experience and all aspects of engagement.
A passionate outdoorsman, cyclist and keen photographer, Chris is happiest in the mountains and in 2007, to celebrate his 40th birthday, he walked the length of Wales, 270 miles via a high level route with his tent on his back. He has three young sons and far too many rucksacks and bikes.
Matt Howard- Technical Director
Matt formed S8080 with Chris in 2000 and with an MSc in Computer Science, you are left with no doubt about who has the brains in the company. With over 250 commercial database driven web projects under his belt, Matt manages the technical production team at S8080 and heads up the user experience (UX) and Information Architecture team..
Key large scale projects include the roll out of secure extranet functionality for HM Cabinet Office and the development of an online e-learning solution for the Department of Work and Pensions.
Matt is a very experienced information architect and UX consultant working on large national projects including Ministry of Justice, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Judicial Communications Office, Business Link, Visit Wales, Healthy Start for NHS, Careers Wales for Welsh Assembly Government and many, many more.
Meticulous and considered in every aspect of his working life, things go a bit awry in his spare time. He is a fanatical windsurfer, having travelled the world looking for the most dangerous places to ride, an experienced snowboarder and a keen on and off road cyclist. His wish would be for a 36 hour day, especially now he is the father of a young daughter.