Interview
Broking success: International broking
From starting in a spare room at home to opening offices around the globe, La Playa’s CEO Mark Boon explains how specialisms have seen the broker grow organically
Broking success: Network growth
Managing director Roger Gaunt set up Leeds-based broker Gauntlet 20 years ago. He explains how he developed and diversified the business and shares his thoughts on succession planning
Broking success: Building a brand
Imogen Coggan, group MD at Kelliher Insurance Group, explains the Kerry London rebrand and talks about the future of the broker
Broking success: Ancient and modern
Autoline managing director Michael Blaney tells Siân Barton why he’s proud of the Northern Irish broker’s traditional face-to-face approach and its commitment to new technology such as telematics
Broking success: Independent thinking
As a proud Scot, independent broker and descendant of a Caledonian freedom fighter, Edward Bruce, managing director of Edinburgh-based Bruce Stevenson, tells Siân Barton why he thinks the union is a good thing and explains his business expansion plans
Broking success: Learning to grow
DE Ford’s director Craig Walton tells Caitlin Morrison how the broker learned from its mistakes and why the firm values chartered status
Broking success: Surviving and thriving
After going from struggling to run the business to two award triumphs, Cowens Survival Capability’s Stuart Williams and Grant Scott tell Emmanuel Kenning how a focus on training and professionalism has proved a winning combination
Broking success: Taking on the big boys
Portmore Insurance Broker’s director Graham Jacobs tells Caitlin Morrison how the company is able to compete with the nationals and why they like complex business
Broking success: Family affair
Morton Michel directors Jerry, Samantha and Nick Beere tell Caitlin Morrison how a favour for a playgroup in 1964 led to the formation of a successful family business and a relationship with an insurer that has lasted for half a century
Broking success: When a scheme comes together
South Essex Insurance Broker’s deputy chairman Barry Fehler tells Emmanuel Kenning how he got into schemes and why they are getting harder to set up
Broking success: Part of the family
JM Glendinning’s Paul Glendinning and Nick Houghton tell Andrew Pearce how they are building the broker around talented individuals and why they want to keep the family feel at the firm
Broking success: Marshall the troops
Trident Insurance MD Robert Marshall on how searching for growth may mean shifting focus towards commercial lines and why he brought the broker’s compliance function back in-house. Caitlin Morrison reports
Broking success: Straight down the middle
Jelf group chief executive Alex Alway and chief executive (insurance) Phil Barton explain why, despite ambitions for growth, they are keen to keep the broker close to its clients. Andrew Pearce reports
Broking success: In the DNA
DNA Insurance’s directors Alf Costa and Danny Imray tell Andrew Pearce why broking is still all about meeting clients face-to-face and how their specialism in non-standard motor has helped it thrive
Broking success: Gearing up for growth
Managing director Gary Spengler and director John Lacey explain how Butterworth Spengler became the go-to broker for cycling and why growth will come from old-fashioned broking. Andrew Pearce writes
Broking success: North of the border
The Scottish market has a lot going for it and broker Clark Thomson is ready to capitalise, managing director Ben Bailey tells Caitlin Morrison
Broking success: Shop till you drop
The Policy Shop’s managing director Sean Byrne tells Caitlin Morrison why growing the broker’s key lines of business is more important than acquisitions
Broking success: The scheme of things
Camberford Law managing director David Ottewill tells Caitlin Morrison about his plans to become an MGA and why schemes are so enjoyable
Broking success: Nothing to fear
MD Stuart Rootham explains why a focus on organic growth rather than acquisitions was the right strategy for RK Harrison Insurance Services and why the broker is not afraid of the competition
Broking success: Centor of attention
Centor Insurance’s CEO Neil Walton tells Caitlin Morrison why the firm’s claims team is so important and why he wants the broker to be known as the John Lewis of insurance
Broking success: Hitting a high note
A specialist in organising music industry insurance, including tours, it is RT’s job to make sure the show goes on, CEO John Silcock tells Andrew Pearce
Broking success: Planning on growth
County Insurance’s managing director Dave Clapp explains his growth plans for the Crewe-based broker and how it is ready for the changing regulatory landscape. Caitlin Morrison reports
Broking success: Lessons from Cambridge
S-Tech Insurance Services founder and CEO Shaun Walker talks to Caitlin Morrison about why Cambridge is good for start-ups and the importance of chartered status
Broking success: Two’s company
Romero Insurance Brokers’ Justin Romero-Trigo and Simon Mabb tell Andrew Pearce why chartered status is so important and how they have managed to thrive during the recession