What is your role now since leaving corporate life?
I now have a portfolio career – marketing consultant, mentor and NED / board advisor.
How long have you been a member of Camelot? For two years
Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests?
Yes, I have attended 2 or 3 road tests. I have found them a great way to learn about new businesses who could help my clients, and the solution providers get insightful feedback on their ‘pitch’ to target insurance companies.
Areas of expertise?
Marketing and Growth
Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role?
CMO Hiscox
How long have you been working in this area?
Over 25 years of Marketing experience across multiple industries (Insurance, FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), Healthcare)
What is your company name?
Please can you provide some examples of recent projects that you’ve worked on?
In the past 12 months I have become a NED for Foresters Friendly Society and TML Partners (executive recruitment). Recent consultancy projects have included: go-to-market strategy brand positioning, target operating models and campaign development.
What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique?
Combining consumer insight, commercial understanding, and business strategy to develop levers to drive profitable growth.
Can you name one professional high point from the last 12 months and what made it so good?
Securing my first NED role – I work best when I can have a long term relationship/partnership with a business.
We need to talk about…? What is, or what should be, hot on the industry’s lips in your view?
Customer understanding. I still see/read about businesses who are not focused enough on products and services that customers actually want, and who don’t treat people (customers, employees…) how they would like to be treated
What should everyone be reading/listening to?
For any marketers, there is a great book ‘The Whole Marketer’ by Abigail Dixon that talks about technical, soft and leadership skills, and personal understanding
Why are you such an asset to the industry & the network?
I have an outstanding record of driving business growth and profitability across multiple sectors. I have contributed to short & longer term growth-focused strategies of complex multi billion dollar organisations, as well as startups/SMEs
Why does your area of expertise need to be spotlighted?
I believe that the contribution that marketing can make is still undervalued in many organisations.
Most importantly what are 2 or 3 tips or give aways that you can give to 1 or more of the following types of businesses
Insurance businesses - established
There is value in getting a different & fresh perspective on your challenges from outside your organisation.
Other consultants
Don’t underestimate the importance of networking - the time you need to give to it!
And… Last but not least, how does being a member of The Camelot Network help you/or add value to your business? Camelot is a great network of smart, like-minded people with a common purpose. There are a large range of different perspectives, within a fantastic group of people. They are always happy to offer advice or solutions to problems.
If you’d like to network with our members, register for our next Camelot Connect
The point about the time needed for networking - this is SO true! I spend at least a day a week doing networking activities - from meetings, to calls, to emails, to comments on LinkedIn.
But it works. ALL the work I have now has come this way - and it's often come via interesting routes. Connections of my network.