WHAT DO YOU DO?

I lead Quality and Marketing at URM Consulting Services,(Cooper Parry’s cyber and risk specialists) two areas that are closely connected. On the marketing side, our team’s job is to make sure everything we put out, whether it’s our website, seminars, webinars, blogs, or podcasts, is clear, client-focused, and distinctly ours. On the quality side, we focus on ensuring that everything we deliver (from audit reports and gap analyses to risk presentations, training courses, and technical tests) is not only well presented but also practical, relevant, and genuinely valuable. 

My mantra? Don’t just tell people how good you are, show them. Every report, every presentation, every campaign is an opportunity to prove it! 

WHY DO YOU DO IT?

I fell for marketing (and my wife-to-be!) during my Management Science degree. I’ve always been more interested in people and words than spreadsheets.  I never quite got the hang of MS Excel. I enjoy understanding what others need, how they behave, and how to communicate in a way that makes sense to them and genuinely adds value. 

For me, marketing isn’t just a function; it’s an organisation-wide mindset, one that’s ‘other-centric’ rather than ‘me-centric’. I feel very fortunate to work with a brilliant team at URM, in a role that blends strategy, problem-solving, collaboration, mentoring, learning from others, and hands-on delivery. Variety truly is the spice of life. 

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN?

I’ve worked on a multitude of projects: refreshing websites, running webinars, seminars, and conferences, supporting tender bids, leading brand refreshes, drafting proposals, and producing innovative collateral. I love the mix of creativity and structure – deadlines and parameters help keep you focused, but there’s always room to be inventive. 

For me, the most rewarding projects are collaborative and iterative: where everyone brings their expertise, we learn from each other, and the final result hopefully makes a real, tangible difference for the client. 

WHATS ON TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?

In 2024, my two fellow directors and I at URM completed the National Three Peaks Challenge climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in 23 hours (despite bad weather, a road closure, injuries, and shoes falling apart)  It was an incredibly rewarding shared experience, and we were able to raise over £10,000 for Sarcoma UK. 

I’m now thinking about the next challenge. The South Downs, with its 100 miles and 12,000 feet of ascent, sounds tempting  (though perhaps not in 23  hours!)  I’d love to be able to raise more money and awareness for such a worthy cause.