I started working in insurance after completing my A-Levels and worked for a small personal lines local broker. After a short time, I moved to a larger commercial broker who specialised in bus, coach, haulage and courier fleets. I worked my way up through the business and was made a Director and Shareholder. I was an integral part of the business’s growth from a dozen employees when started to over 100 in the group when I left.
I, together with my colleague Ian McCarron, decided to leave our previous roles and set up McCarron Coates to provide clients with a bespoke insurance product whilst delivering exceptional service standards. At McCarron Coates I am responsible for retaining and winning new clients, forming relationships with key partner insurers as well as looking after the internal procedures to ensure clients receive the highest standards of service.
On a personal level, I’m a father to twin girls, Sophia and Evie, and in my spare time I try to keep fit by running.
I began my career in Insurance working in a Commercial Underwriting role at Royal & SunAlliance (RSA). At RSA, I built up a good knowledge of commercial lines underwriting and gained valuable experience to take further in to my career. After a few years underwriting I took the decision that I wanted more customer interaction and chose to move over to broking where I joined Gauntlet Risk Management.
It was here that I gained exposure to all areas of the business with involvement within support, accounting, sales and managerial. Working as a divisional Director, I managed a team of sales and support executives whilst maintaining a book of existing customers and driving quality growth in to the business both personally and through the sales channels. I added additional qualifications and skills to my resumé in the health and safety and risk management environment and began to take a more strategic approach to looking after my clients with a heavy focus on risk management and controlling costs.
I began my insurance career the traditional way, joining a local broker as a junior and, after several years, I was offered the opportunity to relocate to London and took a niche role working in the tour operating and high net worth private client sector.
When moving back north, I progressed into several senior distribution and management roles with AIG and Allianz for over a decade, most latterly being responsible for an insurers UK SME broker division operating a £90m turnover business. Most recently, prior to joining McCarron Coates, I was Managing Director for Kennett Insurance brokers and lead its significant growth both organically and by acquisition leading teams in Hull and Leeds.
I’m passionate in delivering a service to clients that makes a fundamental difference to their ability to operate and positioning myself as a trusted partner with a focus on risk management and operational efficiency. I hold the title of associate chartered insurance broker and also have other health and safety qualifications which are invaluable in my day-to-day functions.