Meet the directors

Claire Labrum

Claire's background working for insurance companies has meant that she has specific experience in product innovation work - both existing product enhancement and new product development. In addition, during her research career she has conducted a lot of work in the branding and communications area and has been involved in several, high profile brand and advertising campaigns. A selection of her recent work includes:

• Brand positioning and development for a major life office
• Many projects looking at product and service innovation and development particularly in the (Very) High Net Worth area (both on- and off-shore)
• Marketing and communications work for an investment company
• Developing an employment brand to help the company attract and retain the right people to help it meet its long term corporate ambitions
• Exploration of the impact of new legislation on the market and consumers, including Child Trust Funds, SIPPs and income drawdown
• Understanding how consumers use and interpret past performance figures (for the FSA)
• Examining the issues faced by, and emotional response of, the financially excluded
• Consumer market usage and understanding in the life and pensions, protection, investment and equity release areas

Dave Skelsey

Dave's focus has always been on the qualitative side of the agency environment, initially B2B, then specialising more and more in professional services like accountancy, law and management consultancy, and then financial services to both consumer and business customers.

Like Claire, he has been involved in product development, strategic development and positioning, and advertising and communications research.

Recent projects have covered:

• Attitudes to, and expectations of, retirement and retirement provision among those coming to the end of their working life
• Brand perceptions and advertising and communications development in general insurance
• SIPP product development among IFA and high net worth audiences
• Income protection new product development
• Private banking needs, expectations and perceptions
• Changing needs in passenger airline fleet financing worldwide