Easi-Drive Appoints 9Y Creative Agency For Re-Brand

Leading accident management company, Easi-Drive, has appointed 9 Yards Creative Communications, to refresh its brand identity.

The re-brand by the Knutsford-based agency will include a new look logo to be used across all corporate communications and refreshed design creative.

The timely appointment coincides with Easi-Drive unveiling significant growth plans; targeting an increase in turnover to £30million by 2013 and aspirations to increase the number of full time employees in line with growth.

Commenting on the appointment, Nikki Chamberlain, Marketing Manager at Easi-Drive said: “9Y impressed us with a straight-talking, honest approach. They are working with us to ensure our positioning is appropriate and effective for our target customers and to guarantee our corporate identity reflects our positioning and above all our ambition.”

The new branding is due to be unveiled during September and will be prominent across all marketing materials including off and online ads, external newsletters, the website and vehicle accessories.

Tim Slough, Client Services Director at 9Y added: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Easi-Drive. The business is going from strength to strength at the moment and we join them at an exciting time. They are a trusted and respected player in their field and we are working with them to build on the excellent foundations they have already laid.

He continued: “As the business continues to grow, it will be targeting new sectors including car dealerships and it’s imperative that the positioning is correct. The messaging is about trust, honesty, ethics and credibility – all of which have been identified as key drivers within this market - and emphasising the excellence in customer service for which Easi-Drive is recognised.”

Easi-Drive is due to open a new 15,000sq ft head office in Wythenshawe during September to accommodate its increasing workforce.

Easi-Drive Supports Wheely Good Local Cause

Wythenshawe-based accident management company, Easi-Drive has committed to donating funds up to £15,000 over the course of the next three years to local community group, Wythenshawe Wheelers.

The company, based on Sharston Industrial Estate, has chosen the club as a beneficiary of its community giving programme, WheelsforGood.

It has pledged to purchase key equipment and improve the general facilities at the South Manchester club, which focuses on offering cycling to people with a disability.

WheelsforGood was the brainchild of managing director, Simon Bellamy and looks to reward charities and good causes in the areas in which the business operates.

To mark the launch of the partnership, 13 workers from Easi-Drive swapped their day jobs for a 50-mile bike ride from Manchester to Chester recently, pedalling up an impressive £1,200 in sponsorship money!

The funds raised will be used to purchase a children’s quad bike. In addition Easi-Drive has just purchased a KMX Tornado bike for the club. Similar to a BMX model, the KMX is designed for thrill seekers.

Wythenshawe Wheelers owns over 70 specially adapted bikes and runs four sessions a week from its facility in South Manchester. Members travel from as far a-field as Chester, Crewe and Bury to the club at Wythenshawe Park.

On the partnership, Sue Blaylock, founder of Wythenshawe Wheelers said: “We are so grateful to Easi-Drive for its commitment – we are in desperate need of new equipment including safety gear such as helmets and are keen to improve our basic facilities such as bathrooms. Its support will transform the whole experience for our members. I would like to extend personal thanks to the group of 13 who took part in the gruelling bike ride recently.”

Simon Bellamy from Easi-Drive added: “This is such a fantastic cause for us to be associated with and we are delighted to have joined forces with Sue and her team of volunteers. The service it provides is truly inspiring and really makes a difference to people’s lives – we have seen it first hand.

He continued: “The employees are really getting behind this cause and there are a number of fundraising activities planned over the next 6 months including a walk up Kinder Scout in the Peak District.”

Easi-Drive encourages applications for funding from charities and community groups across the region. If you are interested in applying, please visit the website at http://www.wheelsforgood.com/ for more information or to submit an application.

Easi-Drive announced as finalist in top business awards

Manchester-based accident management company, Easi-Drive has been short-listed as a finalist in the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange.

The 120 strong team, based in Manchester, was celebrating this week after being notified they were in the running for The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year.

The high profile awards attract an excellent calibre of entrants and see Easi-Drive rubbing shoulders with blue chip brands such as Camelot, Marks and Spencer, Coca Cola and the Co-Op Group.

As a finalist, the company, established in 2001 by Simon Bellamy and today run alongside brother Daniel and co-director Gareth Berry, has been recognised as an outstanding organisation with demonstrable success, innovation and ethics.

On being shortlisted a delighted Simon Bellamy said: “We are thrilled with this news and now have everything crossed for the next stage.

He continued: “It is testament to the hard work of the excellent team of people here. Customer service runs through our veins at Easi-Drive and we work tirelessly to ensure that we deliver the best service we can to all our customers.”

Commenting on Easi-Drive’s selection as a finalist, Chair of Judges Philip Forrest said: “Providing an empathetic service which recognises the needs of those who are in the post-accident situation has enabled the company to develop a range of services and deliver them in a way which minimises stress to all stakeholders. It has built a successful business that is enjoying substantial growth and profitability.”

“Orange has sponsored the National Business Awards for the past nine years and I am delighted that the calibre of entrants keeps on improving,” said Martin Stiven, Vice President, Orange UK. “It's been a tough couple of years for business but the UK's organisations have not let this stop them from delivering success. I'd like to congratulate all the finalists for being a real inspiration for what is possible in business.”

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year award looks for companies that best demonstrate an established position, significant growth and innovation in their market sector, under-pinned by strong business results.

Easi-Drive has been invited by the National Business Awards to present to a panel of judges on Friday 1st October at Coutts & Co headquarters (The ‘Gherkin’ building) in London.

2010 winners will be unveiled at a glittering award ceremony on 9th November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The business that deals with all aspects of non fault accidents already appears on The Virgin Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list. Easi-Drive has experienced huge organic growth over the last 12 months and has increased its workforce by over 40% to cope with the increasing demand.

Easi-Drive Invests in HR Function as Workforce Grows

Leading accident management firm Easi-Drive has appointed its first ever HR Advisor to help manage an increasing number of employees.

The total workforce at the Wythenshawe-based company has now exceeded 100 and with it comes a requirement for an expanded HR function in-house.

Jemma Lawton, formerly HR Advisor at local hospital Cheadle Royal, takes on that role for the Company.

General Manager Erica Boland commented: “We chose Jemma for the job as she is a fresh and dynamic person with a ‘can-do’ attitude, which is definitely a good fit with the Easi-Drive culture. She is approachable and professional and someone who will have the interests of the employees and the Company at heart.”

Jemma, who has just achieved her formal CIPD qualification at Salford University, will be responsible for reviewing current policies and procedures across the board with special emphasis on training and development, recruitment and support for managers in dealing with any issues on an impartial basis.

She said: “I will be working hard to promote the benefits of having someone dedicated to looking after this area, which is all about getting people to give of their best on a consistent basis. I know that this is a journey for everyone, but I am looking forward to championing good HR practice and showing how it can make a real contribution to business growth.”

Outside work Jemma goes to the gym regularly and is a big fan of the kettlebell body strength and conditioning regime – teaching a class with her fiancé. She also lists scuba-diving as a hobby and hopes to become an advanced open water diver in due course.

Her first car was a red Ford Fiesta and she says her funniest moment on the road was probably getting stuck going down the entrance ramp at Tesco. “It was a long, winding ramp and I had just passed my test and needed loads of people to help me reverse because I was in such a panic!”

Easi-Drive gets Wigan Charity out of a fix

The Wigan-based charity Fix-It UK has received a £4000 boost from leading accident management specialists Easi-Drive.

The charity, based on the Rosebridge Industrial Estate, in Springview, runs vocational training courses in motor mechanics for disadvantaged 14-19-year-olds. They were left devastated in November last year when thieves took all of their tools, specialist equipment and even the playstation the students had raised money for.

Simon Bellamy, MD of Wythenshawe-based Easi-Drive heard about their plight and decided to help out.

Ian Tomlinson, Programme Director at Fix-It UK, said: “It’s great for our students to see that life’s not all bad and that there are some caring people out there.”

Stu McAndrew, Business Development Manager for Easi-Drive, who went down to the charity to present the cheque this week, said: “I was really impressed with the set up and the great opportunities they offer local youngsters.”

He continued: “It is easy to forget what it’s like to be a teenager trying to find your way in life. Yet here, through the development of their mechanics and qualifications programme, Ian and his team are doing a fantastic job of giving these youngsters skills and belief and opening doors which might otherwise be closed to them.”

The money, which came from the Company’s community giving scheme - WheelsforGood - will be used to replace some of the stolen equipment.

Easi-Drive’s WheelsforGood initiative distributes £60,000 annually to good causes across the UK. To apply go to www.wheelsforgood.com

Easi-Drive appoints first ever marketing manager

The UK’s fastest-growing accident management firm has created a new role in the business to take control of its marketing strategy for 2010 and beyond.

Nikki Chamberlain joins the company this month, with a wide-ranging remit and a chance to shape the function for the organisation, which last year was ranked number 51 in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track league tables.

“It’s a great challenge for me,” she said.

Nikki will be responsible for developing a strategic marketing programme based on the corporate business plan; identifying and targeting new and relevant market segments; management of prospect and customer databases; and actioning appropriate tactical activity plans.

She will also be looking after external agencies to ensure all marketing activities are effectively co-ordinated and consistent. Easi-Drive has been working with South Manchester-based PR agency Souters and advertising agency Da Vinci for the last 18 months.

In addition Nikki will be focusing on improving internal communications.

Nikki brings 13 years of marketing experience to the role. She says it was the Easi-Drive culture which made the role hard to resist. “It’s friendly, ambitious, dynamic and successful, which really appealed to me. The culture extends from the senior management team right across the company. It feels like a good place to be.”

Gareth Berry, Director, said Nikki stood out. “She has the drive and energy to take us to the next level. We do need to get the marketing function properly established in-house, formalise the process and ways of working across departments and improve internal efficiencies. It will be a challenging task but I am confident she will do a great job for us.”

Nikki again: “We want to continue raising awareness of the Easi-Drive brand and make sure we are recognised as a credible, ethical, stable business within the industry and establish a presence for the company in new target markets. I am looking forward to getting started.”

Outside work Nikki loves watching all sports especially football and F1. She also keeps herself fit at the gym, plays golf and is a keen runner with a half marathon under her belt already and another one in her sights this year.

Nationwide Accident Management Specialist 2010

Leading accident management company, Easi-Drive has been awarded the title of Nationwide Accident Management Specialist 2010 by the Institute of Transport Management (ITM).

The Manchester-based company, which offers a fully comprehensive service to drivers involved in non fault accidents, impressed the ITM Awards Committee with its refreshingly straight forward approach to accident management.

Commenting on the award, ITM’s Media and PR Director, Patrick Sheedy said: “Easi-Drive provides its customers with an efficient, multi-faceted service which is honest and realistic in what it hopes to achieve.

He continued: “The ITM research team received extremely positive feedback from its members in regards to the attitude and professionalism of Easi-Drive employees and the service the business provides. The company gets its clients like for like replacement vehicles swiftly and efficiently and also offers assistance with repairs and claims. We look forward to presenting the award to the team at the official ceremony during May in London”

Established in 2001 by brothers Simon and Daniel Bellamy, Easi-Drive has experienced huge organic growth over the last 12 months and has increased its workforce by over 40% to cope with the increasing demand. Last year the company made it onto the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list.

On the award a delighted Simon Bellamy said: “We are thrilled to have received this accolade. It is testament to the hard work of the excellent team of people here. Customer service runs through our veins at Easi-Drive and we work tirelessly to ensure that we deliver the best service we can to all our customers. I like to think we are an honest and trusted operator.”

Easi-Drive boasts one of the most diverse fleets in the industry, ranging from mainstream vehicles, taxis and dual-control cars to lambrettas and Lamborghinis – the company always aims to put its clients in like for like vehicles.