NIG Completes Top-Level Senior Business Development Appointments in the South

Experienced Business Development Managers in Bristol, Maidstone and Watford

NIG to continue investing in personnel as it focuses on growing market share

Broker-only commercial insurer NIG has appointed Area Business Development Managers (ABDMs) at its regional headquarters in Bristol, Maidstone and Watford in a further indication of the firm's commitment to becoming the UK's leading SME-focused insurer. All three new ABDMs will report to Dave Parry, NIG's Director of Sales and Distribution, and each takes on responsibility for developing NIG's business relationships and market share in their respective regions.

Don Oakley has been appointed ABDM for NIG's Bristol office, which covers the west of England and Wales. Don has over 25 years of commercial insurance experience, including stints at Zurich Insurance and M4 Underwriting. Alan Brett has taken on the role of ABDM for NIG's Maidstone branch with responsibility to drive sales and development across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. He also brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including AXA's London Area Development Manager and subsequent role as Key Account Manager.

Alistair Body has joined NIG's Watford office from Arista Insurance where he was the Branch Manager (previously Business Development Manager) of the St Albans office. Prior to this he was a Key Account Manager at Allianz in Luton.

Dave Parry, NIG's Director of Sales and Distribution, said: "These appointments mean that NIG enters 2012 with a formidable set of experienced insurance professionals driving its franchise across the UK. I'm delighted to welcome Don, Alan and Alistair into the business - each brings with them an abundance of experience and business development skills and I know that our key markets in the south of the UK will continue to perform strongly.

"The three appointments cap a busy, highly positive year for NIG. We have been investing in our personnel, product portfolio, distribution network, claims administration and overall service proposition. Capitalising on this strong business momentum, the firm has set itself bold performance targets for the year ahead, all underpinned by its four core service values: straight talking; forward thinking; energetic; and being closer to the customer."

The three new appointments come a month after Ruth Owen joined NIG from Chartis UK as ABDM for its London office. Ruth spent seven years at Chartis Insurance, latterly as Business Development Manager, following roles at Allianz Cornhill, AGF and Norwich Union. Complementing the firm's recent high-level appointments, NIG has also been focusing on internal staff development and promotion as part of its on-going strategy of investing in its employees.

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Notes to Editors:

NIG provides insurance solutions to small to medium sized businesses throughout the UK. Established for over 100 years, NIG provides its insurance exclusively through a network of over 3,200 brokers.

By working closely with our selected brokers, NIG provides a wide range of insurance products for commercial needs protecting businesses.

NIG is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group's Insurance Division, the second largest general insurer in the UK.