Nicola
Marshall

Who I help

Start-up companies. SMEs. Large corporate clients.

How I help

Employee Benefits. Group Risk. Healthcare. Pensions.

“ONE CLIENT DESCRIBED ME AS AN INVALUABLE ASSET, GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND WHEN ASSISTING THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR”

Nicola Marshall is an Employee Benefits Assistant Manager within our IES team, based in our Edinburgh office. She works with a wide range of clients including energy, oil & gas, professional services, and hospitality. Nicola leverages her expertise to assist employers in developing their employee benefit packages. Nicola is passionate about going above and beyond for her clients, providing them with information on new products that will enhance their existing offering and implementing these as efficiently as possible.

In addition to managing employee benefits, Nicola also liaises with our in-house payroll team and handles pension administration and provide guidance on employment taxation.

Utilising product knowledge & market insights

“I love it when a client doesn’t hesitate to reach out to you regardless of the size of query – that’s when you know you have a great relationship with them. The trust you have built with that client means you become their first point of contact. You feel like an extension of their team which is great.

I always make sure I’m reliable and approachable, regardless of the time of year – work doesn’t just happen around renewal time! I am passionate about always providing a high level of service, being honest when it comes to recommendations, and being efficient when processing renewals and market reviews.

When working with clients, it’s really valuable being able to use product knowledge and market insights to help in an area that may not necessarily be part of their current remit.”

Being hands-on and approachable

“I’ve personally found that having the technology to meet clients virtually has created a way for us to speak to clients quickly, in a personal manner where distance is no longer an issue. It allows us to be more hands on and approachable and helps to build relationships as you can put a face to a name.

Employers are constantly looking at different ways to invest in their employees, having realised that inflation-busting salaries are just not sustainable. Investing in a package that’s more than just a salary shows commitment towards employees and their immediate family. I really enjoy being able to show clients new products and implementing them into their benefits package.”

Clients are our passion

“At AAB, clients truly are our passion. A question that always gets conversations going in a client meeting is ‘What keeps you up at night?’ – it gets the client thinking of pressing issues within their workforce that we may be able to help with. It also gives us an insight into how the business is performing and what areas may require a little more attention alongside the usual renewal requirements. By having a more in-depth discussion, you can encourage and grow the relationship and in turn build trust between both parties.

AAB offers a unique service to their clients. The number of services we offer across the firm makes us a one-stop shop, as our clients have access to everything they need. I really enjoy working within the Corporate Benefits team as it’s a great group of people who offer their own individual knowledge and experience which is invaluable. The team are approachable and work collectively in an efficient manner which helps me to deliver an excellent service to clients.

I like to think I’m an approachable person, easy to speak to and in turn I think this helps build a strong relationship between myself, colleagues and clients. One client described me as an invaluable asset, going above and beyond when assisting them throughout the year. They also noted my initiative to provide additional training by simplifying the more complex queries as they arise.”

Additional support can make a big difference

“I have found that employee benefits can sometimes be unfairly overlooked. It’s often the case that you are given these benefits when you join a company, you pop the paperwork in a drawer, and assume you’ll never need to look at it again.

Employers are looking for more ways to invest and retain employees and in turn, are expanding and promoting their additional services. These can include valuable benefits such as private medical and dental cover, and mental health resources. These services can be used day to day by employees and their families, even for problems not necessarily work-related. With the strain on people’s lives, this additional support can make a big difference.”