Dean Courtier

Pastor/Minister | Creative Director | Creative-First Leader in Brand, Storytelling & Integrated Campaigns
It’s not as neat as titles make it sound · dean@deancourtier.co.uk

I spent over 22 years working in the City of London, mostly in marketing and design, mainly with financial and professional services. Long days, busy streets, deadlines all the time—that was normal life. You pick things up in that environment. You learn how to think, how to communicate clearly, how to get an idea across so people actually pay attention.

In 2009 I stepped out on my own. Left running a design and production setup inside a global law firm and started my own marketing and design business. Bit of a leap, but it felt like the right time.

Then in 2010, everything shifted again—I became an Elim licensed minister. And in 2015 I was ordained. That wasn’t a career move, it was a calling. Changed the direction of my life in a big way.

These days I am co-vocational—I’m in ministry and I do design and marketing work. That’s just how life’s worked out. It’s not as neat as titles make it sound.

I’m a husband, a dad, and a grandad—which, if I’m honest, matters more than anything else. We live in Essex now. Quieter than where I grew up, but it’s home.

Looking back, none of it’s followed a straight line. But one thing’s been consistent—I’ve always worked with ideas. Whether it’s building a brand, leading a church, or speaking to people, it’s about saying something clearly and making it land. Not fluff, not noise—just something real that people can actually connect with.


The Encouraging Word Podcast

Sermons and thoughts to encourage and build your faith in Jesus.

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Amazon Music


Experience

Creative, brand, marketing, design and digital Consultant

Freelance / Interim Contracts
May 2026 - Present

Pastor/Minister

Elim Pentecostal Church

Pastor of Rayleigh Elim Church (an Elim East Gateway Church). Previously Pastor of Estuary Elim Church (Ashingdon, Rayleigh & Southend on Sea).

January 2010 - Present

Brand, Design & Marketing Consultant

Eleven Creative / Self-Employed
June 2009 - March 2020

Head of Creative Services

Allen & Overy LLP
August 2005 - May 2009

Preacher & Deacon

Rochford Congregational Church
February 2003 - August 2008

Design and Marketing Consultant

SqueezeDesign
February 2003 - August 2005

Divisional Director of Production Services

Henderson Global Investors
February 1999 - January 2003

Manager - Design, Production and Distribution

London Stock Exchange
January 1995 - October 1998

Various Marketing & Design Roles

Robson Rhodes
February 1987 - December 1994

Skills

Experience
  • Advertising, Brand Creation, Brand Management, Communications, Consulting, Corporate Identity, Creative Direction, Database Management, Design, Digital & Direct Marketing, Evangelism, Internet, Marketing, Mentoring, Outsourcing, Pastoral Care, Photgraphy, Podcasting, Preaching, Presentation & Pitch Development, Print Production, Process Engineering, Public Speaking, Research, SEO, Social Media Platforms, Strategy, Teaching & Training, Team Leadership, Web Design.

SOFTWARE & HARDWARE
  • Adobe Creative Suite: After Effects, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro.
    Apple Creator Studio: Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Motion, Pages.
    Microsoft Office: Access, Excel, Powerpoint, Word.
    Web Design: HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, JQuery, Bootstrap 5, SQL.

    Windows OS, Mac Os, Linux, Fiery, Scitex, Wacom & Xerox hardware. Canon & Sony digital/traditional photographic & video equipment.

Interests

I enjoy Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Design, Science Fiction. I am an avid chef and can cook most cuisines.
I spend a large amount of my free time exploring Biblical History and the applying Biblical Context to faith in the 21st Century.