Brian: Effective Integrated Marketer

Having spent 30 years working at the cutting edge of the financial services industry, plus extensive experience advising fast growing SMEs and working for the Prince's Trust, Brian is a highly effective integrated marketer; a senior strategist as well as a hands-on operator.

When choosing three words to describe his business career Brian would pick inspiration, expertise and experience.

Expertise comes from a professional approach backed up by professional study. A master's degree in Strategic Marketing and Chartered Marketer status are key aspects. Every year investment in personal development has involved understanding more about business in areas such as financial accounts, insurance, cash flow and public relations. Implementing solutions at a senior level requires an ability to understand all aspects of running a business.

The experience comes from 30 years in the financial services industry. Working with major global companies such as Zurich Financial Services and Intrum Justitia Ltd provided an international perspective. Developing business solutions for SME's also helped Brian to understand how small businesses operate. Whether working on brand development or developing customer solutions his approach has always been to ensure the strategic approach is right and then focusing on effective implementation. He believes many initiatives fail because they lack a sound strategic foundation or lack effective implementation. To address this he has implemented staff training and development and initiated change programmes to ensure that staff share the vision and challenge needed to make a difference. As a volunteer worker with the Prince's Trust he provides the training and leadership to help other people start their own business.

Inspiration is the vital ingredient to make a difference. During his career Brian has continually challenged the existing business operation with new ideas. Changing products to meet customer needs in insurance, scrapping forms and improving the service support for customers. At Zurich he pioneered new risk solutions for business such as employment law, business continuity and environmental risk. On brand he has pushed relentlessly for integrated programmes and brand development that moves from company identity to customer value. Often new ideas need outside support that required careful nurturing of partnerships with other businesses.

Working with businesses throughout, there are few business sectors that he has not experienced and developed solutions for.