A THURROCK woman and former borough student is making a name for herself in the world of digital marketing and the firm she started has just been awarded a stamp of excellence.

Chloe Smith is the creative director of Forty8Creates, which is celebrating its sixth sixth year in business as a creative agency and has grown from one person to six full-time creatives.

And the agency has now become an accredited member of the Design Business Association, which has just 350 members nationwide.

The Association is a network of creatives that grants memberships only to the businesses that meet the requirements of professional excellence and commit to operating to the highest professional standards.

Chloe's roots are entrenched in Thurrock.

She grew up in Tilbury and attended the Gateway Academy and went on to study graphic design at Thurrock College, from where she won the Metro Design Award in 2010.

Chloe told Nub News: "The move to become a DBA registered agency coincides perfectly with our agency growth and gives us immense confidence in our services to have been granted membership.

"We are very proud of our team and excited to work with the DBA as we take the next step in agency development."

And looking Chloe hopes to encourage more young female businesswomen to "think big" and follow their passions.