Easi-Drive appoints first ever marketing manager

The UK’s fastest-growing accident management firm has created a new role in the business to take control of its marketing strategy for 2010 and beyond.

Nikki Chamberlain joins the company this month, with a wide-ranging remit and a chance to shape the function for the organisation, which last year was ranked number 51 in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track league tables.

“It’s a great challenge for me,” she said.

Nikki will be responsible for developing a strategic marketing programme based on the corporate business plan; identifying and targeting new and relevant market segments; management of prospect and customer databases; and actioning appropriate tactical activity plans.

She will also be looking after external agencies to ensure all marketing activities are effectively co-ordinated and consistent. Easi-Drive has been working with South Manchester-based PR agency Souters and advertising agency Da Vinci for the last 18 months.

In addition Nikki will be focusing on improving internal communications.

Nikki brings 13 years of marketing experience to the role. She says it was the Easi-Drive culture which made the role hard to resist. “It’s friendly, ambitious, dynamic and successful, which really appealed to me. The culture extends from the senior management team right across the company. It feels like a good place to be.”

Gareth Berry, Director, said Nikki stood out. “She has the drive and energy to take us to the next level. We do need to get the marketing function properly established in-house, formalise the process and ways of working across departments and improve internal efficiencies. It will be a challenging task but I am confident she will do a great job for us.”

Nikki again: “We want to continue raising awareness of the Easi-Drive brand and make sure we are recognised as a credible, ethical, stable business within the industry and establish a presence for the company in new target markets. I am looking forward to getting started.”

Outside work Nikki loves watching all sports especially football and F1. She also keeps herself fit at the gym, plays golf and is a keen runner with a half marathon under her belt already and another one in her sights this year.

Nationwide Accident Management Specialist 2010

Leading accident management company, Easi-Drive has been awarded the title of Nationwide Accident Management Specialist 2010 by the Institute of Transport Management (ITM).

The Manchester-based company, which offers a fully comprehensive service to drivers involved in non fault accidents, impressed the ITM Awards Committee with its refreshingly straight forward approach to accident management.

Commenting on the award, ITM’s Media and PR Director, Patrick Sheedy said: “Easi-Drive provides its customers with an efficient, multi-faceted service which is honest and realistic in what it hopes to achieve.

He continued: “The ITM research team received extremely positive feedback from its members in regards to the attitude and professionalism of Easi-Drive employees and the service the business provides. The company gets its clients like for like replacement vehicles swiftly and efficiently and also offers assistance with repairs and claims. We look forward to presenting the award to the team at the official ceremony during May in London”

Established in 2001 by brothers Simon and Daniel Bellamy, Easi-Drive has experienced huge organic growth over the last 12 months and has increased its workforce by over 40% to cope with the increasing demand. Last year the company made it onto the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list.

On the award a delighted Simon Bellamy said: “We are thrilled to have received this accolade. It is testament to the hard work of the excellent team of people here. Customer service runs through our veins at Easi-Drive and we work tirelessly to ensure that we deliver the best service we can to all our customers. I like to think we are an honest and trusted operator.”

Easi-Drive boasts one of the most diverse fleets in the industry, ranging from mainstream vehicles, taxis and dual-control cars to lambrettas and Lamborghinis – the company always aims to put its clients in like for like vehicles.