Marketing expertise built inside the social housing sector

Many marketing consultants understand marketing. Many sector specialists understand social housing. Very few understand both. That rare combination is the foundation on which Cothelstone has been built.

The difference

Understanding the sector changes how marketing works

Social housing is not a typical market. Generic marketing strategies rarely translate into meaningful results because they simply don’t reflect how the sector actually operates. Having worked extensively within this space, Jess understands the nuances that shape how organisations communicate, build relationships, and ultimately win work.

  • Heavy regulation
  • Complex procurement frameworks
  • Long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles
  • Sector credibility & trust

A career built at the intersection of marketing strategy and the social housing sector, Jess has worked closely with organisations to build compelling marketing and credibility in one of the most complex environments.

The founder's story

About Jess

Jess Prevost

A marketing strategist specialising in the social housing sector. Jess works with organisations supplying housing providers to clarify their positioning, strengthen their messaging, and build marketing that supports commercial growth.

I founded Cothelstone Consultancy to bring together two areas that rarely exist in combination: deep marketing expertise and a genuine understanding of the social housing sector.

Over the past 15 years, my career has been built at the intersection of both, from leading teams in high-growth scale-ups, including Switchee, through to large, established organisations such as British Gas.

During that time, I’ve operated as part of Senior Leadership Teams, working with founders, CEOs and senior stakeholders to shape strategy, define market positioning and ensure marketing is aligned with wider commercial priorities.Through this experience, I saw a consistent challenge.

Many businesses invest heavily in marketing, but struggle to translate the investment into meaningful impact. Not because of a lack of effort, but because the marketing fails to fully reflect how the social housing sector operates, how decisions are made, and what credibility really looks like.

Cothelstone was created with a clear mission: to bring clarity and direction to marketing, and ensure it delivers results with purpose and impact.

Recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM status), I am committed to maintaining the highest marketing standards, technical knowledge and strategic expertise—delivering marketing that drives results.

Why the name?

Cothelstone takes its name from a hill in the Quantock Hills in Somerset, a place I visit regularly. From the top, you have a 360-degree view across Exmoor, the Blackdown hills and the Severn Estuary to Wales. It’s expansive, yet a place of clarity, perspective and calm.But, it’s also unpredictable with weather conditions changing in moments; you never quite know what’s around the corner. In many ways, it reflects the reality of business.

My approach

Practical leadership

Throughout my career, I’ve seen businesses invest heavily in activity that isn’t connected to commercial outcomes. My approach is deliberately practical, bringing clarity and momentum using the resources you already have.

Working collaboratively with existing teams
Building strategy that is achievable, not theoretical
Prioritising activity that delivers measurable impact

The aim is always the same: helping marketing move from being seen as a necessary cost to becoming a measurable driver of growth.

Strategic alliances

Independent, yet connected

Cothelstone operates independently, while working closely with a small number of trusted partners. The relationship is simple — bringing in the right expertise exactly where it’s needed to drive commercial growth.

Partner spotlight

This includes a trusted relationship with Stewart Davison of Elehan Consulting, who introduces Cothelstone to selected businesses within his network, including innovative companies in the PropTech Peer Group.

Visit Elehan Consulting

Marketing should create clarity, momentum, and credibility

Let's talk strategy

If your organisation is looking for marketing leadership that understands both high-level strategy and the social housing sector, I’d welcome a conversation.