Our Voice - January 2020

GROUP

JANUARY 2020

A bold new look for Bravo Group Recognise anyone? This handsome bunch and our revitalised brand will soon be showcased on the new Bravo Group website!

Also...

HIGHLIGHTS AND HOPES

BE A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

We asked the Exec to share their highpoints from 2019 and what they’re most looking forward to in 2020.

Tips and tricks to make your LinkedIn profile really work for you.

R E T U R N I N G S C R E E N

B R O K E R

T O A C O M P U T E R N E A R Y O U . . .

N E T W O R K

[LIVE]

THURSDAY 19TH MARCH SHANGRI-LA HOTEL THE SHARD, LONDON

We’ll be streaming live to Network Members from The Shard for the second year running.

We’d love for you to tune in too!

REGISTRATION DETAILS COMING SOON.

2

OUR

Voice

L VE

Hi all, We’re in a new year, a new decade and we have a new look for the Bravo Group with the launch of its own dedicated website. The new site, which you can find out more about on pages 6 and 7, demonstrates our offering and talent across the business. It’s a great way to kick off 2020.

Last year was both rewarding and challenging in equal measure, both for me personally since I stepped into the role of Group CEO in December 2018, and for the Group as a whole as we accelerated our strategy. The result is that we have a clearly defined set of goals this year, which will allow us to constantly change and evolve, as well as challenge our competitors and lead the marketplace from the front. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, we have the most exciting and compelling story in the industry. I’m excited to share our developments with you as the year progresses.

As we spoke about at Let’s Talk in December, diversity and inclusion is firmly on the agenda for 2020. I believe that the only way to gain new perspectives, fresh thinking and innovation that delivers the change we need is to have a truly diverse range of voices joining the conversation. We have a new ExCo with a split of men and women, which is something that I am personally energised about. We also have Lorna Wrigley in place, who will be spearheading diversity and inclusion among you, our people, as Head of Engagement. I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing your input and feedback in expanding on our culture as 2020 progresses.

It’s an exciting year ahead. Each area of the business will be hosting and attending a range of events to showcase the Group in the marketplace and network with our Members and Ethos Brokers, including BIBA, BN Live and the BNU Breakfast Meetings to name a few. Plus, we’ll have our amazing charity and social events throughout the year; it was fantastic to see everyone get involved in these in 2019. Also for the first time, Ethos Broking will have its own conference, sitting alongside the Broker Network Conference at the Harrogate Convention Centre in October. First though, is the Annual Compass Conference, taking place in March at Whittlebury Hall.

I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you once again for all your hard work in 2019, and for raising an incredible amount for our chosen charities. I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings for everyone in the Group.

Yours

Des OUR

Voice

3

HIGHLIGHTS AND HOPES 2019 was certainly a year to remember, so we asked some of the Exec Team to share their highlights from the past 12 months, and reveal what they are most looking forward to in 2020.

SIMON DREW MY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS WERE...

Securing £80m from Deutsche Bank; this was huge for the future success of the business. This was by far my biggest highlight – probably one of the biggest of my career!

Launching the Bravo Group brand Buying Bennett Christmas – this was very significant, as they were a long time Broker Network Member and had a lot of offers, but they chose us Embracing mental health across the business

IN 2020 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Securing a further £30m worth of funding from Deutsche Bank Acquiring a few more Ethos Broking hubs and driving more satellite acquisitions Working with a new ExCo Seeing people flourish in their careers with the Bravo Group

CLARE WAKEFORD MY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS WERE...

The successful integration of Cascade and workflows across the Group

Seeing Lorna Wrigely lead our diversity and inclusion calendar as Head of Engagement

Bringing the Group HR, Learning Network and HR Consultancy departments together to create one people-centric team

The commencement of our Accelerate talent programme

The Learning Network winning the Investing in the Profession/Training Award at the British Insurance Awards

Implementing an employee engagement strategy

Centralising the health and safety portal to make the Bravo Group a safe place to work 20 new apprentices across the business starting their studies and three sponsored individuals achieving their Cert CII qualifications

4

IN 2020 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO...

OUR

Voice

Further enhancements of Cascade to make it user friendly

RICHARD TUPLIN MY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS WERE...

The way the business has welcomed me into the family; I’ve only been here 16 months but it feels like I’ve been part of the family forever The successful launch of Ethos Broking to the market in March 2019, which provided clarity and increased press coverage for the brand The rapid growth of Ethos Broking following its launch Welcoming two new regional hubs and eight satellites to the Ethos family

IN 2020 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Building on the work already done in Ethos Broking and making it a formidable force in the UK broker market Working with my new team across the north and south to support our partners across the country and drive growth Welcoming even more regional hubs into the fold Cementing our focus on providing value added support to each partner via our centre of excellence in Knaresborough

BETH ASH MY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS WERE...

Bringing the Communications and Events and Marketing Consultancy departments together to create one strong team The fantastic atmosphere at BIBA where both Networks collaborated Bringing the Bravo Group brand into the foreground, seeing it develop and have clarity in the marketplace The strong press profile that the Bravo Group established across the year

IN 2020 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Continuing the Bravo Group story to give it a strong family feel across the three brands and launching the rebrand Focusing on our people to make the Group a truly great place to work The wide variety of events across the business, including three strands hosting their own conference from the Compass Conference to the National Conference for both Broker Network and Ethos Broking Seeing the Broker Network and Compass BIBA stands with no wall in the middle

SUSAN ADCOCK MY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS WERE...

The Risk and Compliance team pulling together to support each other, whilst going through some significant resourcing challenges The hard work that the IT team have being doing to transform our infrastructure behind the scenes to ensure we are fit and scalable for the future Completing a successful BCP (Business Continuity Plan) Test for the first time Starting to build an MI capability that not only supports what we are doing as a business but helps to drive us forward

IN 2020 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Doing more to support our chosen charities and smashing all our fundraising targets this year Personally, I would like to become more involved in the mental health initiatives to support my teams Continuing to remove some of the remaining IT legacy that hinders us from being more progressive and efficient Focusing on supporting Ethos Brokers to get their IT, MI and Risk and Compliance into really good shape

OUR

Voice

5

A bold new brand As Beth mentioned at Let’s Talk, the Bravo Group is going to have an exciting new look and feel this year that aligns with our leading position in the marketplace. Our refreshed brand will be unveiled to the world with the launch of our website - featuring a few familiar faces you may recognise!

WHY DEVELOP THE BRAND?

BEFORE

AFTER

We want to build on the strength of the Bravo Group brand to build trust, provide clarity, create consistency, and strengthen our market position.

GROUP stronger together, yet distinctly different

LIVE AND KICKING The new Bravo Group brand will be launching very soon! We’ll send you a link when it goes live, but in the meantime here is a little sneak peek…

6

OUR

Voice

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

uniting the broking community and championing its people STRIKE A POSE As we’re a people-focused business, we wanted to show our teams and how we are stronger together, yet distinctly different. As you saw at Let’s Talk, along with the ExCo team, we picked on took some individuals from across the

business to get together for a special photoshoot to show who we are on the new Bravo Group website. You’re a fantastic bunch, and we want to show you off!

THE INSIDE SCOOP

OUR

Voice

7

BRAVO GROUP SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS AND TRICKS As the Group has grown, so has our social media activity.

To help us all become social media butterflies, we’ve pulled together some pointers for when you’re posting on LinkedIn and Twitter.

01 SHARING IS C

We have lots of exciting content goin and Twitter pages across the Group; the pages regularly to see if there is would resonate with your followers o interested in.

While leaving a comment on a post w a great way spark a conversation, it d that your followers will see the conte to let your audience know about the ‘Share’ button on LinkedIn and ‘Retw

04 TAG YOU’

When you’re popping som a broker, Partner Insurer that has contributed to a to tag them in your post.

Tagging people and busin see and engage with you will be more inclined to s post is likely to seen by m

It also a great way to stre give the tagged person o

06 GET SOCIAL

Social media is just that, being soc to. If you’re heading to an event, m share the news. The more you pos who you are and what we offer as

If you’re sharing something, try to statistic to shock you: LinkedIn po generate comments than posts wi

08 CONSISTE

Whether you’re sharing p or are talking about a me social media will help to you and the Group are ab

8

OUR

Voice

CARING

ng on our LinkedIn ; it’s worth checking something you think or that they’d be

02 GET PERSONAL

we’ve put out can be doesn’t always mean ent. The best way post is to click the weet’ on Twitter.

’RE IT

mething up, if you’re talking about r, colleague or an individual or business a project you’re writing about, don’t forget .

nesses on social means not only can they ur post by giving it a like or comment, they share it with their audience, meaning your more people.

engthen relationships as you’re helping to or company more online exposure as well.

cial. So let people know what you’re up meeting a broker or on a training course, st, the more people are likely to remember a Group.

o add a photo where possible. Here’s a osts with images are 98% more likely to ithout pictures.

ENCY IS KEY

posts from any of the Group’s accounts eeting with a broker, posting regularly on o remind people of who you are and what bout.

Before you share a post with your audience from one of the Group’s channels, we’d advise personalising it with a caption of your own. This helps to bring your personality through and reinforces why you feel your followers would be interested in the content.

03 WHAT TO SAY…

THAT IS THE QUESTION When you see a question in a social media post, do you find yourself answering it in your head? Asking a question is a great way to get the conversation going, make your connections feel like they are involved and gives them the opportunity to have their say and share their thoughts and wisdom.

Whether you’re sharing company updates or posting your own news, think about whether there is a question you can ask that might get people commenting with their opinions or even tips.

05 DON’T LEAVE THEM HANGING

If someone has left a comment on one of your posts, we’d recommend giving it a like and replying to them. This not only helps to keep the dialogue going, it can make them feel valued as you’ve taken the time to acknowledge their comment.

07 MAKE THOSE

CONNECTIONS After you’ve met a key contact at an event or a meeting, if you’re not already connected with them on social media, make sure you send them a request afterwards; this will help to keep you in their mind.

OUR

Voice

9

C

R

A

C

K

T

H

E

Disclosing anything as part of an acquisition is always hush hush, including the name of the business itself. While we can’t disclose the intricate formula for project naming used by the Ethos team – it’s not as random as your favourite football team or preferred sandwich – we did ask them to reveal their own codenames, with varying and particularly random results.

Have a go yourself and see what rare creature the military code generator conjures for you.

10

OUR

[Desert Rooster]

[Arctic Hawk]

[Smoke Cobra]

[Arctic Lion]

[Desert Cobra]

[Arctic Cobra]

[Arctic Panther]

[Desert Rooster]

[Smoke Snake]

[Snow Rhino]

[Golden Falcon]

[Arctic Shark]

[Desert Snake]

[Arctic Panther]

[Desert Lion]

Voice

60 SECONDS WITH...

Tell us a bit about your role…

I support the BDM and sales teams of the Bravo Group. We will be looking to shape the future sales strategy of the business in 2020, as well as working with insurers to provide products that give Members a competitive advantage. I feel networks are positioned very well and, with the Broker Network and Compass proposition, we can look outward to the market and continue to win more Members this year.

What are you most excited about as Bravo Group Networks Sales Director?

The size of the opportunity.

What is your key focus for Compass and Broker Network for 2020?

My focus for this year is working with the team to bring more Members on board, retain the membership we already have across the two networks and support our Insurers Partners to grow their accounts. I think regional brokers will only get stronger over the next three to five years and this just creates more opportunity.

What are your plans for the BDM teams?

My goal is bring the teams closer together and make sure we are the envy of all other networks and insurer teams.

Scott Bennett Quick fire round When you’re not working where would we find you?

In a different life, what would your career path have been?

Walking the dog by the river or watching Liverpool play (mainly on the TV)

Professional footballer for Liverpool, of course

What’s your cooking speciality?

Eggs Benedict

Which word / food / smell can you not abide and why?

You’re going to a desert island. Which three items do you take with you?

My wife and kids, as I would not want to be lonely.

I struggle with negative people / speak

OUR

Voice

11

What’s happening in 2020?

FEBRUARY

APRIL

SEPTEMBER

MEMBER FORUMS

SPRING RAFFLE

LET’S TALK & HOLIDAY RAFFLE

BNU NEWCASTLE & MANCHESTER BREAKFAST MEETING

MAY

BNU LONDON & SOUTHAMPTON BREAKFAST MEETINGS

6th to 13th February

4th & 5th February

30th April

BRAVO GROUP & BROKER NETWORK BIBA DRINKS RECEPTIONS

12th May

BNU Breakfast Club

3rd September

15th & 16th September BNU Breakfast Club

BIBA

13th and 14th May

MARCH

JUNE

COMPASS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

BAG IT FOR MARTIN HOUSE

4th to 6th March BN LIVE

19th March BNU BIRMINGHAM & SOUTH WALES BREAKFAST MEETINGS

OUR

TOTAL WARRIOR

27th June

BNU Breakfast Club

BNU REIGATE AND DAVENTRY BREAKFAST MEETING

Voice

14th and 15th October

24th June

JULY

25th March

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

LET’S TALK AND LET’S SOCIALISE

23rd & 24th March

LET’S TALK, GO ROW FOR MARTIN HOUSE AND QUIZ NIGHT

12

8th to 10th June

OCTOBER

7th & 8th July

BNU Breakfast Club

DECEMBER LET’S TALK, CHRISTMAS PARTY & RAFFLE

10th December

Grapevine...

HEARD IT ON THE

Business in ‘byte-size’ chunks If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new Bravo Bytes Magazine, here it is again. We're going to be releasing the magazine twice a year, with future editions including teams from across Compass and Ethos Broking to ensure everyone knows the Bravo Group family.

B R O K E R

Please do let us know your thoughts on the first edition of the Bravo Bytes Magazine by emailing internalcommunications@brokernetwork.co.uk.

Do you like the format? Is there anything you feel is missing? What would you like to know? Who would you like to hear from?

N E T W O R K

E D I T I O N

ISSUE 1 DECEMBER 2019

CLICK HERE

A walk down memory lane When did your career in insurance start? We’re looking at the amazing talent that we have across the Group and with that in mind we have a social media campaign that we’d like you to get involved in. We’d love for you to send us a photo of yourself from or that gives a nod

to the early days of your career in the industry that you would be happy for us to use on social media. Please email your pics to Alice Bowerman on: alice.bowerman@bravo-group.co.uk

Baby on board HR Systems Implementation Specialist, Sam Town, is expecting another baby which is due on 3rd April. Kat Shaw is also due soon to bring a little brother for Thea into the world; and Rachael Adamczyk has just given birth to a little sister for Henry called Isobel Betty.

OUR

Voice

13

MOVERS MOVERS SHAKERS & We have a lot of new faces at the Bravo Group!

NAME Caroline Walford

NAME Ehijie Ogun

JOB TITLE Senior HR Administrator

JOB TITLE Risk and Compliance Consultant

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN ONE SENTENCE

DEPARTMENT Risk and Compliance

Nothing shocks you any more when you work in HR!

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SINGLE YOU EVER BOUGHT? Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead or Alive

WHICH THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND?

Water, sun cream (joys of being pale) and a camera in case I see any interesting wildlife

Spag bol

WHICH THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND? My phone, family and water

JOB TITLE Head of Payroll

JOB TITLE Insurer Reconciliation Executive

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN ONE SENTENCE

DEPARTMENT Client Money

I’m famous for my homemade key lime pie

WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR DANCING STYLE? My kids say embarrassing

NAME Stacey Anderson JOB TITLE Underwriting Admin Assistant DEPARTMENT BNU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN ONE SENTENCE Interesting

WHAT'S YOUR COOKING SPECIALITY? Baking cookies

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE JOKE?

What is a chicken’s favourite brand of shoe??

Rebokbokbokbok

Voice

WHAT'S YOUR COOKING SPECIALITY?

NAME Anita Marwood

WHAT'S YOUR COOKING SPECIALITY?

OUR

Looking after the South East Coast Premier Members, helping them to stay compliant

NAME Lorraine Worner

Challenging, fast paced, sometimes hectic, but most of all very rewarding

14

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN ONE SENTENCE

IF YOU HAD TO EAT ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Cake

WHICH THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND? Family photo, bubbly and cake

NAME Laura Vance

NAME Liz Fletcher

JOB TITLE Finance Business Partner – Ethos

JOB TITLE Trading Underwriter

DEPARTMENT Finance

DEPARTMENT BNU

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN ONE SENTENCE

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SINGLE YOU EVER BOUGHT?

Providing commercial finance support to Ethos Brokers

Wet Wet Wet – Love is all Around

WHAT'S YOUR COOKING SPECIALITY?

WHAT'S YOUR COOKING SPECIALITY?

WHICH THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND?

WHICH THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND?

I do love to cook a curry

My iTunes, kindle and a pillow

Toast

Fishing rod, wine and crisps

NAME Luke Gibson

NAME Alexandra Readman

JOB TITLE Insurer Payments Administrator

JOB TITLE Trading Underwriter

DEPARTMENT Client Money / Group HR

DEPARTMENT BNU

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN ONE SENTENCE

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SINGLE YOU EVER BOUGHT?

Four days in Client Money, one day in HR

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE JOKE?

Kim Wilde – Kids In America

WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR DANCING STYLE?

Wine made me do it (I know it’s four words!)

Arsenal

Little two-step

WHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR DANCING STYLE? WHICH THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND? Dry shampoo, wine, lip gloss

OUR

Voice

15

got some news you'd like to share?

Don’t keep it to yourself – get in touch with the Communications & Events team and we’ll spread the word!

Maybe your team have achieved something extra special and deserve some recognition?

Perhaps you’ve come across something that could be of interest to the business?

You might want to start up a new exercise class or social group... ...or anything else that you think needs a spot in the mag!

Email internalcommunications@brokernetwork.co.uk

20-046 v5