Meet the sponsors...

Why are you backing the Best Factory Awards? Zurich Insurance is approached by many organisations seeking sponsorship. However, our preference is to partner with companies and associations that are like minded, sharing similar values to our business when it comes to managing risk. This is Zurich Corporate's second year sponsoring the Best Factory Awards. It's a great opportunity to connect with many high quality companies from across the UK, gaining valuable insight of the key challenges they face and the actions they implement to address these challenges. We also take the opportunity to remind the members of our knowledge and expertise of risk in the manufacturing sector, and the solutions we offer to support their businesses in the journey of continuous improvement. What is the best business advice you have ever received? Probably the most important advice I received many years ago was to be true to myself, keep my integrity and do the right thing, elements which I have focused on ever since. What makes British manufacturing great? British manufacturing is and always has been the foundation of success for Zurich Insurance. From SME to large heavy industry, our business has worked with companies over many decades to support their growth and development through risk transfer, as they continually innovate in an ever-changing world. For me, it is the creativity, development and implementation of ideas which brings UK manufacturing to life and makes it so special. Which was the first factory you ever visited? For my sins, the first factory I ever visited was a fish processing plant in Hull! Highly efficient and effective, and incredibly clean... however, not a visit I'd want to repeat in a hurry, given the smell. I've never felt quite the same about cod and chips since. What is the most memorable factory you ever visited? My first visit to Uniglaze, a UK manufacturer of PVC frames and glazing, was a real eye opener. The business grew rapidly over a short period, expanding into premises that weren't ideal, either for their future growth or for Zurich as their insurer in controlling the risk. They had the foresight, though, to erect a purpose-built factory to replace their existing multi-site operation. My second visit to this new operation was a fantastic experience: a high quality factory, fitted out with the best equipment, and supported by strong leadership and a motivated workforce. Have you ever won an award? If yes, for what and when? Throughout my career, I've been lucky enough to receive many individual and team awards for performance and quality, but the award that will have most significance from my own perspective is soon to be judged and will hopefully be one for the Zurich mantelpiece. Zurich has been shortlisted by the British Insurance Awards in the Underwriting Initiative of the Year category for our Corporate Focus proposition. The proposition is an industry-tailored solution, providing expertise and insight into key industries, including manufacturing, food & beverage and technology, ensuring we provide the right guidance and support to our customers, to protect all aspects of their business and not just the insurance risk alone. Having been intrinsically involved in the development and implementation of this solution, should we win this award the pride would be immense. If you could run a factory, what would it produce? As a frustrated Liverpool FC fan, a factory that produces some decent players and a quality manager would be good right now. If you could bestow one gift on UK manufacturing, what would it be? Ensure that Zurich, alongside insurance brokers, helps British manufacturing on the journey of continuous improvement, maximising their effectiveness, and future success and security.