There's something reassuring about dealing with a global, multinational company on a local basis. You have the advantage of speaking to someone who probably knows your area, knows your company and knows what sort of local pressures you may be under, whilst also having the backing of a company where you can just about guarantee that they've seen it all before and know exactly what you need.
This is especially important when it comes to insurance. It’s highly unlikely that there’ll be an off-the-shelf’ product to meet your requirements.
That’s why Arthur J. Gallagher in Newcastle has been so successful.
Yes, they may have over 500 offices worldwide and be able to offer client service capabilities in almost every country around the globe; yes they have nearly 25,000 employees; yes they are ranked as the world’s fourth biggest insurance broker and yes for the last 5 years they have been voted as one of the world’s most ethical companies. However, they still retain a family atmosphere and family ethos. Arthur J. Gallagher was set up in 1927 by, you’ve guessed it, Arthur J. Gallagher. Fast forward ninety years and you will still find a Gallagher at the top of the company tree. J Patrick Gallagher Jr is the company’s President and Chief Executive.
As soon as you wander into the Arthur J. Gallagher offices on Newcastle’s quayside, you immediately sense the local’ nature of the company. There’s a friendly welcome and a feeling of calm efficiency.
If you’d dealt with the company, say, ten years ago, you’d immediately feel at home because the vast majority of the employees who were working there then, are still there looking after customer today. They currently have over 50 people working in their office and it’s plainly the sort of place where employees and clients feel comfortable.
It’s also obvious that Arthur J. Gallagher does a good job for those clients because some of the account directors have handled and looked after their insurance affairs for over thirty years. The quayside branch also has a 98 per cent client retention which is staggering and something of which the team is rightly very proud.
“It’s that sort of place,” said Frank Firth, the Branch Director for the Newcastle office of Arthur J. Gallagher. “We give a local touch to what is a global business arrangement. For example, we look after the insurance affairs of over 30 of the North East’s top 200 companies including 5 FTSE 250 companies, because our global reach enables us to offer those firms a truly international approach. It also means that we can be totally flexible and deal with companies of any size or type whether they are a large conglomerate or a single person start-up. We can help and, in effect, become their insurance department.”
Arthur J. Gallagher Newcastle represents over 300 businesses, some of which are the region’s
.and the UK’s
biggest firms such as Bellway, Melrose, Marshalls, Virgin Money, Ringtons, Komatsu, Port of Tyne etc. They have clients in every sector but especially construction, manufacturing and logistics. With the recent addition of a small business team they now offer a complete spectrum of services to all types of commercial clients.
Arthur J. Gallagher takes a holistic approach, focused on helping businesses to reduce their overall cost of risk. The team is on hand to advise clients and potential clients on the effective management of all the various risks they face, as well as transferring some of those risks off their balance sheets via appropriate insurance solutions. It is often said insurance is a peoples industry and that’s true. “We encourage our people to build relationships with clients and prospects,” added Frank Firth. “For example, within our recently set up new business department, part of our developers’ role is to engage with clients who may be unaware of what sort of insurance products are available. We can tailor a solution to their exact needs so they are confident they have the right protection in place. We then grow with their company and keep an eye on how things are developing, ensuring our advice keeps in step with their changes. We can also look after the personal insurance affairs of high net worth individuals.”
In other words, Arthur J. Gallagher in Newcastle offers a local approach from a global business.
Too many people and companies don’t understand insurance. That is where Arthur J. Gallagher can help.
The best idea is to speak to them. They’ll find out what you’re looking for and make a careful assessment of what your business really needs. After that, sit back in the knowledge that one of the world’s biggest insurance brokers is looking over your shoulder. It’s like being part of a family .the Arthur J. Gallagher family.
