John Readman of Modo25 & ASK BOSCO, on scaling agencies, AI-driven ad spend and Ride25’s marathon mindset

What does it take to build an AI-driven marketing platform that retailers can truly trust? In this episode, Jamie Hamer is joined by John Readman, founder of Modo25 and Ask Bosco, to unpack his journey from early days in postcode software to scaling agencies for some of the UK’s biggest fashion brands, before launching a platform that solves the age-old question: where should you spend your next pound?

John opens up about creating a business with purpose, how a four-day work week fuels growth, and why transparency between agencies, platforms and retailers is more vital than ever. He also shares insights into Ride25—the 25-year cycling challenge bringing founders together worldwide—and how the same marathon mindset drives his approach to retail tech. Expect candid stories, bold predictions, and practical lessons for retailers navigating the next wave of AI commerce.

About Modo25
Modo25 is a digital marketing agency based in Leeds, founded in 2019 by John Readman with backing from Skyscanner co-founder Bonamy Grimes. It pioneered a 'supported in-housing' model, helping brands build internal marketing capabilities rather than fully outsourcing. It holds Google Premier Partner status, placing it in the top 3% of UK partners.

About ASK BOSCO
ASK BOSCO is an AI-powered marketing analytics platform built by the Modo25 team. It connects a brand's ad spend, traffic, and sales data into one dashboard, then uses forecasting models to recommend where the next pound of budget should go. It won Standout AI Software Solution at the 2025 UK Digital Excellence Awards.