PRESS RELEASE

CIM adds host of new appointments to its North East board

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has announced a series of new appointments to its North East board. The new line-up will build on the board’s previous successes and will continue to deliver real value to businesses and marketers throughout the North East region.

Kirsty Ramsey, marketing and business development director at Newcastle-based O Communications, replaces Charlie Nettle as regional chair, adding to the wealth of industry experience to the board.

After more than a decade working across a range of sectors at independent accountancy practice MHA Tait Walker, Kirsty made the switch from in-house role to agency life in November 2019, supporting B2B and consumer clients on strategy projects covering both recovery and growth.

Keen to develop a sense of community and pride for marketers in the North East, Kirsty said: “It’s been a difficult and exciting time for the industry. We have taken giant leaps in digital marketing, proved why marketing deserves a seat in the boardroom, and demonstrated how marketing is the link between business strategy and the customer.

“As we start a second lockdown, it’s a critical time for marketers in the North East to drive strategy, boost skills and plan for future disruption. The team all come from varying backgrounds and their insight into what a career in marketing is really like is invaluable to sharing that passion in the North East.”

Meanwhile, Veronica Swindale, newly appointed vice chair of education will look to use her experience to continue to build the profile of CIM, particularly in the education and skills sectors, saying: “Having worked in the NE region for the majority of my career, I have a good understanding of local businesses and the strong marketing base we have in the North East.”

“My main role will be to empower young people and middle managers to develop their marketing qualifications and skills, thereby creating choices for themselves and opportunities for their future.”

Tom Nightingale, director of marketing & strategy at Baker Hughes Flexible Pipe Systems, and strategic communications consultant Dawn McGuigan, complete the new look North East board vice chair positions. They will join existing members – each with their own marketing specialism – to offer strategic input and operational support to CIM North East.

Commenting on the new look team, Tom said: “We have a broad range of sectors on the board, from education to transport, energy to not-for-profit. One thing we are all passionate about is highlighting marketing talent in the region and helping local marketers to grow their networks.

“We want to add the most value possible to CIM members and the implementation of an events plan that can be adapted between online and in-person will be key to that strategy.”

Dawn added: “It’s important we ensure North East marketers have a regular feed of engaging, informative content that helps them do their jobs better and shows the strategic value of marketing.

“I also want to shine a light on the best practice in our region, as marketers work incredibly hard and creatively to differentiate and support the growth of their businesses in the wake of COVID-19.”

Maggie Jones, director of qualifications and partnerships of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, concluded: “These latest appointments bring additional marketing expertise and new skills, which will build on the fantastic work that the previous CIM North East chair, Charlie Nettle, created in achieving a better CIM experience for our members and the wider marketing community in the region.

“COVID-19 has accelerated the understanding of why businesses need to take marketing seriously. Marketers have a great opportunity to deliver real value to businesses, and the CIM North East board are working hard to promote new ways of delivering marketing activities, building on Charlie’s work, during these increasingly challenging times.”

For more information about CIM – the world’s leading professional marketing body, becoming a member, volunteering, or upcoming events in the North East, visit: https://regions.cim.co.uk/north/home/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

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PR Executive
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About CIM

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the world’s leading professional body for marketing, with over 28,000 members worldwide, of which there are over 2,500 Chartered Marketers. CIM’s mission is to create a marketing advantage for the benefit of professionals, business and society with a focus on export, data and skills. CIM believes marketing is the critical factor in driving long term organisational performance.

CIM provides members and organisations with five key benefits: 

• Partnership – CIM is a professional and organisational partner to support performance and career development
• Education – CIM allows individuals and businesses to continuously upskill
• Information – CIM keeps members up to date with the latest marketing thinking, and keeps organisations at the forefront of practices
• Connection – CIM provides access to services, expertise and peers
• Recognition – CIM is the global benchmark of professional competence

For more than 100 years, CIM has supported, represented and developed marketers, teams, leaders and the profession as a whole. There are 120 CIM study centres in 32 countries and exam centres in 132 countries worldwide. In the last year, over 7,500 people registered at over 230 UK CIM events. Find out more about CIM by visiting www.cim.co.uk.