People
Stuart Bartram led the development of Aviva's online corporate estate for 11 of his 20 years at the company.
The global insurance company has for a long time been considered among the leaders in FTSE-100 digital corporate communications. Its online communications challenge was a complex one, balancing the demands and opportunities of a dynamic consumer brand and an extensive global portfolio of websites.
Over recent years Aviva embraced social media, personalisation and specific content for mobile devices within its evolving digital strategy.
Reporting to Aviva's global brand development director, Stuart was at the heart of this strategy with his team also playing a key role in developing the digital presence for Aviva's first global brand campaign in 2010: You Are The Big Picture.
Stuart Bartram
Managing Director
In Spring 2011 Aviva was named in two separate reports as being in the top 10 in the FTSE-100 for corporate social media.
Before working on the external agenda, Stuart was part of the corporate communications team which introduced the first company-wide news-based intranet for Norwich Union, which was the forerunner of Aviva's first global intranet.
Before joining Aviva Stuart spent 10 years as a journalist.
Married with two daughters, he lives in Norfolk and is a governor at Norwich University College of the Arts.
" I have worked with Stuart for almost 10 years across a huge variety of successful online communications projects in the UK and internationally; from large corporate sites to consumer advertising, sponsorship to corporate reporting, social media to mobile. Stuart is one of the very best I have ever worked with - strategic and tactical, always on top of the digital 'stream' and where it will go next, excellent to work with because he motivates the team so well, personable and very intelligent/insightful."
" We worked with Stuart for three years as he drove forward the vision of the "One Aviva" global web presence. His deep understanding of web strategy, governance, and technology were key to pulling together all the various strands of this huge undertaking. He inspires all those around him with his infectious enthusiasm for all things digital, and knows how to get things done."
" I've worked with Stuart for three years as a client of Corporate Eye. During that time he's also provided advice and guidance, which I've found invaluable, as we've developed our product and services. He has a deep understanding of online communications, knows how to deliver high quality websites and is a pleasure to work with!"
" Stuart is very unusual in combining deep business experience with a real understanding of - and enthusiasm for - new media in all its forms. It's a rare and valuable combination. He is also an excellent communicator, and a thoroughly pleasant person to work with."
" Without exception, Stuart has to have the most extensive knowledge of the digital industry than anyone else I've ever worked with. Stuart is very comfortable and highly credible working with all levels within a FTSE-100, from junior developers to board members. Stuart has also operated at a global level and has worked closely with Europe, North America and Asia, as well as extensively in the UK. Stuart has an infectious drive for results and can always be relied upon to go the extra mile, he has strong aspirations, inspires others and is committed to delivering a result that is second to none."
Read
- The Group: Seven FTSE-100 social media leaders – Aviva
- Radley Yeldar: Release the power of social media
Listen
- Stuart interviewed by Corporate Eye in March 2011. Stuart reflects on how he caught the digital wave, which corporate sites he rates, and offers some key lessons in getting into social media from a corporate perspective.
Watch
- Stuart, among others, talks about the role of website policies at the launch of new BSI British Standards code of practice: PAS 124:2011: 'Defining, implementing and managing website policies and standards'
- Stuart talks about The Journey to One Aviva: connecting one company's digital world
Julian Steedman is Chairman of Brandex Insight and has worked both client and agency side.
Julian trained in graphic design back in the heady 1980s and following graduation, worked for Norwich Union Insurance (now Aviva Plc), the UK's largest Insurance company. Julian was involved in the rebranding of Norwich Union by Wolff Olins and then went on to become head of design for Norwich Union's corporate division. He has since spent time as Creative Director of Design Company, before forming Brand Experience. Julian has wide-ranging experience working on branding projects for many national and international business such as Arts Council England, Aviva, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, CNA Financial Corp, Saffron Building Society and Tokio Marine Insurance to name but a few.
Julian Steedman
Chairman
Julian is responsible for developing the business alongside working on Brand Experience's strategic and international accounts. In his spare time, Julian is fanatical about anything with four wheels that's powered by petrol and tipping off the top of snowy mountains with a plank of wood strapped to his feet.
Chris Donaldson heads the digital and creative team.
After studying graphic design at Norwich School of Art and Design (now Norwich University College of the Arts) and Suffolk College, Chris worked in the design team at HMSO and Banner Business Supplies before joining Design Company in 1999 and becoming Head of Design.
Whilst at Design Company Chris began the digital side of the business as the industry moved towards online and digital brand communications. This continued with Brand Experience with an expanding Creative and Web team providing highly successful integrated print and digital campaigns.
Chris Donaldson
Digital Director
He has worked with clients in the public and private sector from locally based clients including Saffron Building Society, STG Aerospace and Aviva to European and US based clients such as European Financial Services Round Table and CNA Insurance.
Recent successes include a Fairbanking award for the Plan.Save.Get website which Chris designed and was responsible for delivering.
In the rare moments away from a Mac he manages to squeeze in gigs, festivals, mountain biking and anything motorsport related.
Ashley Spooner is our Digital Marketing Director and has worked both client and agency side.
Ashley has an almost unrivalled background in financial services having worked at a senior level at Aviva and Moneyfacts.co.uk before switching to agency life. His client list has a heavy PF presence including the likes of AXA, HSBC, Swintons, Fool.co.uk, AWD MoneyExtra, Uswitch, Which?, British Bankers Association, the Building Society Association and Interactive Investor but also includes retail clients such as Canterbury of New Zealand, Budget Car Hire, PokerStars and John Frieda.
Ashley Spooner
Digital Marketing Director
Ashley also has much experience in the not-for-profit sector having worked with Oxfam, Save the Children, the Charities Aid Foundation, British Heart Foundation and PDSA.
Ashley's role covers email, SEO, PPC and Social Media. The latter being an area where Ashley has written articles and been quoted in the trade press for having run some of the most successful social media campaigns in Europe.
