Gallagher has announced that renowned sports broadcaster, Jill Douglas, has joined its UK operations as the global broking and risk management giant accelerates plans to expand its presence in the specialist Sport, Media & Entertainment sector.
In her role as Business Development Consultant, Jill will work with the existing teams to develop tailored propositions and targeted campaigns aimed at the world of sport, media and entertainment. Jill is best known for fronting rugby and cycling coverage on the BBC, ITV, BT Sport and previously Sky Sport, and in 1997 was chosen as the BBC’s first female presenter of Rugby Special.
In 2014, she moved to combine her experience as a sports broadcaster with a career in insurance at Lloyd’s broker, Ellis Clowes, where, as Head of Communications & Marketing, she was responsible for the rebrand of the broker. The broker was later sold to Integro where Jill assumed the role of Global Head of Marketing for Entertainment & Sport before leaving the business at the end of 2017.
John Thompson, CEO of Gallagher’s UK specialty and wholesale operations, said: “Jill has an impressive and respected broadcasting career in rugby and a deep understanding of the broader business and world of sport. When you combine that with her more recent experience within the broking sector, there really is no better individual to help us build-out our specialist sport, media and entertainment practices within Gallagher. Anyone who has met Jill will know that her energy and passion is contagious and we are all very much looking forward to having her as part of team.”
Commenting on her new role with the business, Jill added: “Gallagher is one of the most respected brokers in the insurance industry and, through its partnership with Premiership Rugby, it is clear the company has great ambitions to make a difference within a sport that has been a passion of mine for 25 years. The company also has bold plans to expand its existing insurance and risk management capabilities within the world of sport, media and entertainment and I am delighted to be getting involved at the start of something new and exciting.
“I also love that people are very much at the heart of the Gallagher business. I felt a real and immediate connection with the culture as soon as I walked through the door – another reason why I’m looking forward to trumpeting the Gallagher brand, its specialist service-led propositions and all that it stands for.”
Jill will continue to combine her broadcasting role with her new position at Gallagher.