Joanne Ferris

Aldgate, London E1

M: 07798 764559  E: jkeferris@hotmail.com  W: www.joanneferris.com

An energetic, strategic and commercial marketer who focuses on key financial results and brand issues. Extremely creative, organised and efficient. Skilled at being an ambassador for the organisation or department, able to operate, influence and build rapport at all levels. Personable and friendly, instils the loyalty of others. Marketing generalist with over 14 years' experience of direct marketing; e-marketing, advertising, public relations, event management and development of marketing collateral.

Career History

Oct 07 - Present    Freelance Consultant

Aug 04 - Oct 07    Group Marketing & Information Director, Thomas MIller

Apr 04 - Aug 04    Marketing Consultant to Building LifePlans & Newzeye

Mar 99 - Apr 04     Marketing Manager, Certa (UK) Limited

Jan 99 - Mar 99     Press Office Assistant, Legal & General

Jan 98 - Jan 99     Marketing Communications Executive, Profile Group Limited

Feb 94 - Jan 98    Marketing Executive, Tellex Monitors Limited

Jun 92 - Feb 94    Sales Supervisor, Phil Stott Monitors Limited

Experience & Achievements

Marketing

• Clarified the values and characteristics of the Thomas Miller brand and established a rationale, and gained Board agreement, for its use and promotion. This three year project involved consolidating the brands of both Thomas Miller and the 14 companies under management.
• Change management of the Thomas Miller rebranding project involving working with 550 employees in 9 locations, in 6 countries, seconded to 14 companies under management.
• Built the market for brownfield and environmentally impaired land insurance in the Uk leading to a doubling of turnover every year between 1999 and 2002.
• Established the brand identities of four separate companies and led the rebranding of a further four organisations.
• Profit and loss responsibility both in setting targets and being accountable for results.
• Developed strategic and operational marketing plans to meet challenges including building a market; differentiating offerings and meeting lead, sales and revenue targets.
• Substantial internal communications experience including working with international offices and home workers.
• Business development and customer relationship management experience including facilitating the coordination of customer relationship management between group companies through the development of knowledge management; CRM systems and structured client feedback systems.
• Experience of marketing a range of business to business and professional services including conferences, publications and insurance products.
• Chartered Marketer with Chartered Institute of Marketing Postgraduate Diploma.

Project Management

• Internal project management for relocation of 450 staff to 78,000 sq ft building covering all aspects including legal negotiations; working the external advisor team; design; building service strategy development and internal communications.
• Developing business continuity plans for the threat of pandemic flu leading to the creation of a full set of plans for all 14 companies under management.
• Producing a knowledge management strategy and plan to allow and improve the sharing of knowledge and information between individuals, businesses, departments and IT systems.
• Working to develop pan-east London legal aid service collaboration in response to Legal Services Commission requirements for amalgamated funding applications.

Operational Management

• Key role in the development of a new corporate plan for Thomas Miller.
• Planned and implemented Certa's repositioning from underwriting agent to brownfield land service provider.
• Created profitable commercial conference division for Certa with full profit and loss responsibility. This led to Certa's marketing being self-financing.
• Party to the decision to instigate a redundancy programme and eventually advise shareholders to put Certa into administration.
• Identified purchaser and negotiated sale of Certa conference division.
• Line management experience with both direct and indirect reports.
• Building consensus to facilitate change management on cross functional, department and business levels.
• Managing tenders and developing procurement systems and processes.
• Part Qualified MBA (graduating in 2009)

Senior Management

• Secretary to the Board of a £60 million turnover, 580 person international insurance management company (Thomas Miller & Co Ltd)
• Senior management team member of a £3 million turnover, 25 person UK underwriting agent (Certa UK Limited)
• Director, Trustee and Management Committee member of a £800k turnover, 25 person legal advice centre charity (Tower Hamlets Legal Advice Centre)

Qualifications & Training

2007 onwards   Studying for Masters in Business Administration (Open University)

2007   Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (Open University)

2006   Market Driving Strategies Course at London Business School

2005   Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) Certificate in Digital Marketing

2003   Qualified as a Chartered Marketer

1998   Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing

1997   Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Advanced Certificate in Marketing

1992   BA (Hons) in History from University College London