Putting People First in a Digital World

How we started practical transformational coaching and training that unlocks skills, creativity, and confidence.

Tech Evangelist to Portfolio Consultant

Sam Parnell sitting at a wooden desk with a silver MacBook laptop, smiling in an office environment with potted plants in the background.

Sam Parnell began her digital career in the early 2000s, at a time when the internet was rapidly transforming how people connect, learn, and do business. As the founder of the digital agency Measured Brilliance, Sam spent years working across industries, helping organisations navigate change and make sense of evolving technology.

With a career rooted in technical sales, Sam had the opportunity to work across a wide spectrum of cutting-edge technologies — from aerospace-grade adhesives to RFID solutions, stock tracking technologies, and next-generation point-of-sale platforms. This broad exposure has given her a deep appreciation for how complex systems come together — and how to translate that complexity into real-world value.

Through this work, she saw firsthand how overwhelming digital could feel—and how much potential was unlocked when people felt genuinely confident using it. Over time, these experiences shaped her belief that clarity, empathy, and evidence-based practice should be at the heart of every digital project.

That philosophy became the foundation of Human First Digital.

Sam Parnell in a sparkly red top and black pants speaking at a podium on stage during an event, with a large pink screen behind her and blurred yellow lights in the foreground.

Less Disruption, More Building

Sam began to notice a costly pattern: businesses repeatedly wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch, losing momentum, money, and motivation in the process. Instead of scrapping what’s already there, Sam focuses on using what you have to get where you need to go. That includes past mistakes and failures, which often hold the most valuable lessons.

By helping teams understand why things went wrong, she equips them to make better decisions moving forward — not just to go right, but to go smarter. Through a data-driven, evidence-based approach, Sam helps leaders and coaches develop the clarity, tools, and confidence to build more resilient strategies and make fewer costly missteps.

Today, Sam draws on her extensive background to help leaders and managers look at their challenges in new ways. Her approach combines practical know-how with coaching that builds lasting skills, empowering teams to think creatively, solve problems, and use data to achieve their goals.

From fostering connection and sparking innovation to empowering people with knowledge, the digital landscape offers unmatched opportunities to create a more inclusive and equitable future. Sam Parnell supports continuous learners to build the skills they need today and stay ready for whatever comes next.

Sam Parnell with shoulder-length red hair, glasses, and a blue patterned shirt, smiling and sitting on colorful stairs with pink, blue, yellow, and gray steps.

Awarding winning advice from someone who values work over accolades. 🤭

Sam started her career as a digital marketing trainer and strategist, she’s knows your story is unique to you and your business and she knows how to fill the gaps in your delivery and education.

Some of Sam’s achievements

  • Winner of awards for Digital Marketing and Mentoring

  • Winner of an award for Best Responsive Design and Build (pre-mobilegeddon)

  • Helped countless clients to win trade and industry awards.

  • Started SIMS, Suffolk Internet Marketing Specialists teaching SMEs how to cross pollinate

  • Advised thousands of businesses teaching them how to read their analytics data

  • Created the Digital Advice Service and HFD Accelerator, training for SMEs

  • Created the Norfolk & Suffolk Innovation Network website, exploring the possibilities of IoT in delivery of local services.

  • Deliver social media strategy training to parliamentary support teams