NIG strengthens East Anglian operation

Commercial insurer NIG has strengthened its East Anglia regional office with the appointment of Gill Moakes as senior business development manager.

Moakes joins NIG from Colchester and Diss-based insurance broker Scrutton Bland, where she had been responsible for new business development since November 2008. Prior to this, she worked at AXA Insurance for 16 years, latterly in an account manager position.

In her role at NIG, Moakes will have responsibility for expanding NIG’s business across the key East Anglia region. She will report to NIG’s area business development manager (ABDM) Alistair Body, based in the Watford office.

Forming part of a major investment programme by NIG in its local offices and regional capability, her appointment comes on the back of several other high profile business development appointments across the UK in the past six months. Warren Bainbridge joined as ABDM for NIG’s Manchester office in February, for instance, while in December last year ABDMs were also appointed in Bristol, Watford and Maidstone.

Moakes said: “East Anglia has a very strong SME commercial business sector covering both the rural and urban areas and there is a huge opportunity to work with brokers across the region to help them and their SME clients. NIG can offer a fantastic service to the brokers in the region and I am looking forward to doing just that.

“In terms of the business we are targeting it will be primarily about bringing back local experience to the market and providing tailored insurance solutions to policyholders on both individual cases and via scheme solutions. There is so much opportunity, from the more rural businesses to the demands of clients in key cities such as Norwich, Cambridge and Ipswich.”

NIG’s director of sales and distribution Dave Parry said: “We are delighted to welcome Gill to the role. With over 25 years’ experience in both insurer and broking environments, she brings a unique understanding of the East Anglia market to NIG. As our senior business development manager for the area, Gill will use her experience on both sides of the fence to provide an unprecedented service to our brokers, and she is a welcome and extremely strong addition to the team.”