Monday 24th January 2011 - Published by Lara Page - Account Manager
Basingstoke expansion is an 'insured' success
Commercial insurance specialists expanded into Basingstoke earlier this month, in a move expected to create more jobs in the area.
Finch Commercial Insurance Broker’s success in North Hampshire has encouraged it to open a new, independent commercial insurance office, on the first floor of the Courtyard in Winchester Road, known locally as “The London Clancy Building”.
Managing Director Vincent Gardner, himself a resident of Basingstoke, is delighted to have been able to take up the opportunity to open an office on his own doorstep and is confident for the firm’s continued success in the area.
“Our client numbers in Basingstoke have grown consistently over the last five years, prompting this move, so we can provide an even better service by localising ourselves in the community,” said Mr Gardner.
The company carried out market research, which highlighted a gap in the local market, revealing that there were no other commercial insurance specialists supporting the local business community from within the town centre. Mr Gardner continues:
“There was clearly an opportunity for a commercial insurance specialist within the Basingstoke area. We already insure many firms based in and around the town, and although our broking team in Reading will continue to service these clients, we feel that our opportunity to grow will be enhanced by this new initiative.”
The Basingstoke team will be headed-up by Ryan Houston, who has over ten years’ experience in commercial insurance broking and is himself from the local area. Supporting Mr Houston is Maire Brown, who manages Finch’s existing, strong relationships with local client firms the Champion Group, R.W Armstrongs and Skilz.
New starter Gordon Warnes, will also be joining the team, tasked with establishing Finch’s new Professional Indemnity team. Further plans are already in place to create new jobs in the area as the local client base expands.
left to right: Finch Commercial Insurance Brokers Managing Director Vincent Gardner, Commercial Account Executive Ryan Houston
