Fee and commission income (2002): £12.2m
Pre-tax profit (2002): £2.9m
Address:
1 Regent Street
Newtownards, Co Down
Fee and commission income (2002): £12.2m
Pre-tax profit (2002): £2.9m
Address:
1 Regent Street
Newtownards, Co Down
Tel: 028 9182 4581
Fax: 028 9182 4548
Email: gareth.brady@openanddirect.com
Website:
www.openanddirect.com
www.footmanjames.co.uk
Year established: 2000
History: Open + Direct Group comprises two divisions: Footman James is one of the leading brokers in a range of specialist vehicle markets, including classic cars and motorcycles. The business has doubled its premium income over the last three years as a result of its strong brand in the specialist vehicle market and the excellent services it delivers to both individual clients and associated affinity schemes. Footman James was acquired by Open + Direct Insurance Group in August 2000.
The company was founded in 1983 by the current managing director Peter James and a partner. It operates from one site in the West Midlands, with 130 staff. The company is GISC registered. Open + Direct Insurance is one of the leading personal lines brokers in the Northern Ireland market. It also provides a wide range of commercial lines products to the SME market. Open + Direct Insurance was formed by merging three acquired businesses under one brand in 2000. It operates from seven high street locations in Northern Ireland with 130 staff. The company is GISC registered.
Major shareholders: Alchemy Partners Management
Main lines of business: Footman James - specialist vehicle personal lines and commercial lines broker. Open + direct insurance - general personal lines and commercial lines broker.
Number of UK branches: Footman James - 1, Open + Direct - 7
Subsidiary companies: Footman James, Open + Direct Insurance
Number of UK employees (average for 2002): 250
Chief officer: Gareth Brady, managing director
Biography: Gareth Brady, a chartered accountant, originally trained with Ernst & Young gaining experience in corporate finance, in particular mergers and acquisitions. In 2000, he joined the Open + Direct Group to manage the group's acquisition programme. He then successfully managed the integration of the acquired Northern Ireland businesses under the Open + Direct brand name. In 2001, he became joint managing director of Open + Direct Insurance Group. He was instrumental in securing private equity funding for the management buyout of Open + Direct Group in May of that year.
