Profiles
29. CAROLE NASH INSURANCE CONSULTANTS
TRAFALGAR HOUSE
110 MANCHESTER ROAD
ALTRINCHAM
CHESHIRE WA15 0AU
TEL: 0161 927 2424
FAX: 0161 927 2404
EMAIL: BIKES@CAROLENASH.COM
WEBSITE: WWW.CAROLENASH.COM + WWW.CAROLENASH.COM
FEE AND COMMISSION INCOME (2004): £22.58m
PRE-TAX PROFIT: £2.21m
CHIEF OFFICER: DAMIAN KEELING, MANAGING DIRECTOR
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1985
HISTORY
Founded 20 years ago, Carole Nash has grown to be one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the UK and Ireland, despite almost wholly concentrating on the motorcycle market.
The business was started by Carole Nash with a small classic bike portfolio, to which modern bikes were added after about five years. In 1996 Nash appointed a professional managing director and the business expanded rapidly, now having an estimated 25% share of the UK motorcycle insurance market.
Additional bike-related activities include alarm fitment, repair services and credit bike hire. In 1999 the firm opened in Dublin, where it now has a substantial share of the Irish bike market. Recently the business started to offer private car policies in addition to its existing successful classic car book, and had also begun to write commercial business in the motorcycle trade market.
With a purpose-built 4,000 sq ft training centre to cater to the needs of its 400 employees, the firm is committed to staff investment. Equally, with 27 of those staff in the IT department, investment in technology is key to Carole Nash's future.
CHIEF OFFICER BIOGRAPHY
Damian Keeling qualified as a chartered accountant in 1982 with Clark Whitehill, a City firm. He became a partner with that firm, specialising in corporate work.
In 1996 he joined Carole Nash as managing director, and has seen the company's turnover increase 15-fold since then. Policyholder numbers have risen to over 250,000, and the company is one of the fastest growing and most profitable insurance brokers in the UK.
Keeling sees his main role as continuing the profitable expansion of Carole Nash, while developing the strong management team needed to take the business forward.
