Introduction: Why this guide exists
Choosing the right partner for your paid search campaigns isn’t easy. Big agencies can feel bloated and expensive, while hiring in-house may not make financial sense until you’re at serious scale. This is where PPC consultants come in. They offer hands-on expertise without the layers of account managers, and they’re usually more agile than a traditional agency.
But not all consultants are the same. Some are solo freelancers, others run small specialist firms, and many focus on particular industries or platforms. This guide highlights some of the best PPC consultants in the UK right now accessible, credible, and experienced.
Along the way, we’ll also show how smaller boutique ppc firms like Lever Digital offer a middle ground: the direct knowledge of a consultant, with the support structure of a specialised B2B PPC agency.
What to look for when assessing a PPC consultant
Before you even review names, here are some key criteria to evaluate:
- Track record + case studies in your niche / sector
It’s better if they’ve run PPC campaigns in your vertical (B2B SaaS, Fintech, lead-gen, eCommerce) as you’ll benefit from domain knowledge and pre-learned patterns.
- Transparency and reporting style
Can they show how they optimise, where waste is removed? Is their reporting clear (not just dashboards, but analysis + actionable insights)?
- Access & communication
Will you speak to the decision-maker / operator? How responsive are they? Clarity of roles and who is doing what.
- Technical chops + tracking / attribution capability
A consultant must understand conversion tracking, attribution, scripts/automation, funnel optimisation, experiment design, etc.
- Scalability & coverage
Even as a small consultant, you want assurance they can scale your spend or bring on trusted collaborators if needed.
- Contract, pricing and transparency
Clear pricing, short commitments (or exit options), no hidden fees.
Notable UK PPC Consultants / Freelancers
Here are a few names you can include (or vet further) as credible, accessible PPC consultants in the UK market. (This is not an exhaustive list, you should always verify contactability, capacity, specialisms, and success stories)
Michéal Breslin is the founder and lead consultant at Lever Digital, a specialised B2B PPC agency that blends the hands-on expertise of a consultant with the structure and support of a small, dedicated team.
Unlike many large agencies where accounts are pushed down to juniors, Michéal personally oversees strategy, campaign setup, and optimisation. With a background in scaling paid search for SaaS, FinTech, and complex B2B service businesses, he has built a reputation for helping companies achieve measurable ROI while cutting wasted spend.
What makes him stand out:
- B2B focus: Deep experience in long-sales-cycle industries where lead quality and attribution matter more than sheer click volume.
- Hands-on consultancy with agency support: Clients benefit from Michéal’s direct expertise, while Lever’s small team provides additional coverage for campaign execution, reporting, and creative.
- Data-driven approach: He emphasises accurate tracking (Google Tag Manager, GA4, CRM integrations) and advises clients to measure not just leads, but pipeline and revenue outcomes.
- Scalable strategy: Whether you’re testing a new market or managing six-figure monthly budgets, Michéal builds frameworks that scale without losing efficiency.
Best fit for:
- B2B SaaS and FinTech companies needing an experienced PPC consultant who understands complex buyer journeys.
- Scaling firms that want the personal touch of a consultant but with the reassurance and structure of a boutique PPC agency.
- Businesses frustrated by high spend and low ROI with bigger agencies, looking for a leaner, smarter alternative.
Freelance PPC consultant with over a decade’s experience. Barrie works across Google, Microsoft, and paid social, offering tailored management without agency overhead.
- Specialism: Mixed industries, eCommerce + lead gen.
- Best for: SMEs wanting flexible, direct consultant support.
Freelance PPC consultant focused on lead generation. Ryan has worked on 450+ PPC projects and frequently shares insights through industry publications.
- Specialism: Local service businesses and lead gen.
- Best for: SMEs and regional firms looking to capture high-intent search traffic.
Andy offers direct one-to-one consultancy through his firm Clarity PPC, working closely with businesses to create efficient, profitable campaigns.
- Specialism: Google Ads management and audits.
- Best for: Businesses needing strategic audits or hands-on guidance from a seasoned expert.
Victor is a freelance PPC consultant specialising in eCommerce and performance campaigns. He also focuses heavily on analytics and tracking.
- Specialism: eCommerce brands scaling paid search.
- Best for: Retail and consumer brands wanting accurate attribution.
Ajay is a UK-based Google Ads consultant with experience in campaign management, audits, and training. He offers flexible packages for SMEs.
- Specialism: General PPC with a focus on SMEs.
- Best for: Small to medium firms wanting cost-effective management.
When to choose a consultant vs an agency
Think of this as a simple decision tree:
- Budget under £2,000/month? → A consultant or freelancer is usually the best fit.
- Budget £2,000–£10,000/month? → Consider a boutique firm like Lever Digital where you get both expertise and execution support.
- Budget over £10,000/month and multi-channel needs (SEO, social, creative)? → Larger agencies may be better positioned with bigger teams, but you might still benefit from a consultant to run specialist accounts alongside them.
How to approach a PPC consultant
When vetting consultants:
- Ask these questions:
- Have you managed accounts in my industry before?
- What KPIs do you focus on (CPA, pipeline, ROAS, etc.)?
- How do you approach wasted spend and optimisation?
- Request:
- An account audit or test campaign.
- Clear pricing with no hidden extras.
- References or testimonials.
- Red flags:
- No transparency in reporting.
- Vague promises without proof.
- Reluctance to discuss strategy openly.
How Lever differs
Lever positions itself as the best of both worlds:
- Handpicked experts: You’ll work with senior consultants, not juniors.
- Lower overhead: More cost-effective than a large agency.
- Scalable: Capacity to support growing budgets and multi-market campaigns.
- Trustworthy: Transparent reporting, clear strategy, and a B2B-first focus.
In other words, Lever gives you the directness of a consultant with the structure of a PPC agency.
The consultants above are some of the most accessible and experienced in the UK today. Whether you’re a scaling SaaS business, an eCommerce brand, or an SME, working with the right PPC consultant can mean the difference between wasted spend and profitable growth.
If you’re comparing options, why not start by speaking to Lever Digital? We’ll happily review your campaigns, benchmark your performance, and show you what’s possible when you get consultant-level expertise with the support of a dedicated team.