Henderson raises GWP target in Manchester

Henderson is planning to expand outside its traditional Yorkshire base by increasing its gross written premium in Manchester from £8m to £25m in five years.

Speaking at a presentation to its insurers at Lancashire County Cricket Club, chief executive Joe Henderson said the broker would achieve the growth partly by targeting businesses held by consolidators. “We see the consolidators as an area for us to attack,” he said.

The national and large provincial brokers in Manchester represented tough competition, Henderson said, adding that small provincial brokers gave good service but were under pressure as a result of a lack of insurer agencies. But he added: “We’re not here to knock the Manchester market or Manchester brokers – we realise there’s real talent there. The only thing I’d say is that if somebody half our size is getting more than us, we’d get a bit disappointed.”

According to Henderson, his company’s approach at the moment is “less is more”. “We can select our clients,” he explained. “If they just mess us about on claims and premium, why do we want them? I’d rather quote for three cases and get two, than quote for 10 cases and get 10.”

Henderson also used the presentation to welcome new branch director Paul Brookbanks to his firm.

Elsewhere, the employment tribunal between Towergate and Henderson continues. It concerns two ex-

Towergate staff, Emma Simkins and Jonathan Willett, who later joined Henderson. Towergate claims that they were dismissed after “regulatory discrepancies,” which is dismissed as a “fabrication” by the pair.