Chess Rau

Head of Marketing

Francesca (Chess) Rau is the Head of Marketing at Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries. Since joining the organisation in 2016, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s strategic direction, drawing on her deep expertise in franchising, business development, and multi-channel marketing.

Chess leads the national marketing function, overseeing both internal teams and a network of specialist agencies to deliver high-impact strategies across B2B and B2C. Her remit spans brand development, digital performance, lead generation, and network-wide support, all aligned to drive occupancy, brand consistency, and sustainable growth. With a strong focus on innovation, data-led decision-making, and franchisee engagement, she ensures marketing remains a key driver of success across the entire group.

Qualifications

• Degree in Media Arts
• CIM Level 4 in Digital Marketing

Get to know me

I have a 1-year-old who has just found his feet, his voice and curiosity in just about EVERYTHING – he is amazing but certainly keeps me on my toes. I love catching up with friends and family when I can, but my favourite thing is a cosy Saturday night in, a takeaway, pjs, a candle lit and some cheesy television to keep me entertained! A fun fact about me is that I have 5 siblings and 10 nieces and nephews, Christmas is interesting….!