James Sturrock
Marketing Director, Commercial and Broker

What is your role:

Marketing Director. I look after all of our advertising, events and sponsorship as well as running our insight programme that helps us to identify the needs of our brokers and create solutions in products and service that deliver on what our customers want. I am the champion of our brand position and the four brand values that underpin everything we do as individuals and a business.

What's the best advice you've ever been given:

Never compromise! If something isn't right, do something about it! Describe yourself in 3 words: Creative, yet commercially focused (I know that's four, but as Marketing Director I'll give myself some creative licence!)

2011 was a big year for NIG, what are you most proud of:

For me, it has to be the rebranding of the business. It really helped to mark the turnaround of the business and reflect a more modern and forward looking NIG that is really focused on commercial insurance for SMEs. Launching the new identity at BIBA was stressful to get everything ready in time, but immensely rewarding! A really great team effort.

What is your focus in 2012: Our challenge this year is to keep up the momentum from a great 2012. We're going to do that with more product launches and the delivery of 2 major projects that will benefit our customers. Success at the end of the year will be doing all the things we set out to do, making a splash and getting the recognition and a positive reception for them...and lots more celebration!

How do you live the NIG Values for the benefit of our customers:

I'm always 'energetic' (at least I am after my morning caffeine fix!), my customer insight team ensure I am always 'closer to our customers' (the odd meeting over beer and wine with our brokers helps too!), and because of that, the solutions we find for our customers are always 'forward thinking'. My team will tell you I am not afraid to speak my mind too, meaning I'm always 'straight-talking'!