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20 May 2008 - JOHNSTON PARK MCANDREW AND MARKEL URGE SMES TO TAKE UP DIRECTORS’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY COVERAlthough directors’ and officers’ liability insurance has seen a recent increase in popularity due to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 becoming law in April 2008, a West Midlands commercial insurance broker is urging SMEs to take up suitable cover to protect their businesses and the individuals managing them. Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew provide advice to privately owned businesses including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction companies. Together with Markel (UK) Ltd, part of the Markel Corporation, they originally launched the initiative in November 2007. Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance cover protects companies’ directors, officers and senior managers against claims arising from the decisions and actions taken whilst managing their business. Policies can be extended to incorporate defence costs for the ‘entity’ (ie the company) in respect of corporate manslaughter charges, investigations, identity fraud, breach of contract, pollution, taxation and data protection. Commenting on its success and the potential of the agreement with Markel, David Johnston, MD at Johnston Park McAndrew said: “Directors’ and officers’ liability is a relatively new cover for the insurance industry brought to prominence in recent years in the light of high profile court cases against some well-known companies. Many of our clients were surprised that they could protect their personal assets and as a result the take up has been very good. However, even with the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, there are still many SME directors not aware of their vast responsibilities as laid out in the Companies Act 2006; management risk should be at the centre of any company risk policy. We decided to appoint Markel as they are a proactive market leader in this area and a firm with whom we are developing an excellent long term relationship.” Andy Partington, branch manager at Markel in Birmingham, said: “Markel has been at the forefront of writing directors’ and officers’ insurance for over 20 years. Our experience shows that many directors of SMEs are as much at risk to a claim as a director of a larger organisation and often with significantly greater consequences. Our directors’ and officers’ insurance policy is targeted at directors of SMEs and as such provides an ideal solution to protecting the individual and their personal assets, whether it’s their own home, their pension plan or their holiday home in Spain. Many directors are unaware that these particular assets are at risk should a claim be brought against them. We are pleased to be working with Johnston Park McAndrew in offering such a comprehensive solution for company directors. This product provides them with peace of mind and enables them to get on with what they do best – running their business.” For more information about directors’ and officers’ liability insurance visit: www.markeluk.com/our+products/social+welfare+insurance.htm --- ends --- Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew who provide advice to privately owned businesses including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction companies, signed the deal with the West Bromwich Building Society’s (West Brom) Business to Business operation. Outlining how referrals will work and the decision to appoint Johnston Park McAndrew, Steve Maloney, senior area development manager for the West Brom, said: “Customer enquiries may be generated from a variety of sources from customer service advisers based in any one of our 47 branches, to personal contacts as well as networking events and meetings, which we then forward with their consent to Johnston Park McAndrew. “Although we have previous experience of working with third parties in other areas of the West Brom’s business, commercial insurance is a new product. However, the benefit of operating through a broker is that our customers are not tied down to one provider but may choose the best package to suit their requirements. As a professional, commercial insurance specialist Johnston Park McAndrew has an excellent local reputation and is a trusted source to which we are confident in recommending our customers. We anticipate a successful working relationship which will not only generate new and consolidate existing business, but most importantly meet the needs of our customers through the provision of a high quality service.” The contract will run on a rolling basis with the West Brom and Dale Collett, sales and marketing director at Johnston Park McAndrew said: “The West Brom is a well known and well respected building society and we are very pleased to be associated with them. Many other building societies have a commercial division serving their business clients but I believe our agreement with the West Brom to provide commercial insurance is a unique proposition in this field.” --- ends --- 05 November 2007 A West Midlands commercial insurance broker has been appointed to service the portfolio of one of the UK’s leading property investment and development companies. Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew who provide advice to privately owned businesses throughout the region including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction companies, have secured the contract with the Revelan Group and Paul White Associates (Revelan Group). Outlining details of the agreement and how they intend to work with the Revelan Group, David Johnston, MD at Johnston Park McAndrew, said: “We are delighted to have secured this appointment, which consolidates our presence in the Property Owners sector. We have developed our expertise in this market and now have a dedicated Property Owners team that uses its specialist knowledge to deliver quality and value to our clients. The Revelan Group is a very well known name in their field and we anticipate a positive and productive working relationship with them.” Nick Schwartz, director of the Revelan Group, said: “Through our partnership with Johnston Park McAndrew we’ll be receiving commercial insurance and risk services through a professional and reliable company who fully understand our needs and can work closely with us in protecting our business risks. Johnston Park McAndrew have already improved the level of cover we purchase without additional costs and support this with a hands-on personal approach to service.” --- ends --- 18 June 2007 Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew (JPM) who provide commercial insurance advice to privately owned businesses throughout the West Midlands including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction businesses, has appointed Dale Collett as their new sales & marketing director. 38-year-old Mr Collett holds an Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Management Diploma and is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Prior to joining Johnston Park McAndrew he was the business development director at the Birmingham office of Giles Insurance Brokers Ltd. Highlighting some of the responsibilities in his new role Dale Collett said: “We have a number of short term objectives which include the review of current marketing materials and our website, the creation of a sales tool kit and a comprehensive Johnston Park McAndrew information pack for our key clients. On a strategic level we will be identifying a number of key performance indicators for individuals, teams and the business as a whole, with the aim of improving efficiencies but equally as important empowering employees in decision making. We are also looking to increase our portfolio of services and are discussing opportunities with a number of third party providers.” Commenting on the changes at Johnston Park McAndrew, which also include the promotion of Sarah Cooksey from office manager to operations director, MD David Johnston said: “In 2006, premium levels reached £5.5M and we are on target to reach £7.5M this year. These figures reflect our ongoing success and the 25% year-on-year growth of the company since 1995. Effectively managing this expansion required a change in the organisational structure, hence the two directorial appointments. This is paying off already as the work carried out with our sales team has provided them with clearer, defined goals and direction. In the longer term we are looking to establish additional offices to maintain the current high levels of personal service in line with our plans for expansion.” --- ends --- 04 September 2006 A West Midlands company has been awarded the contract to administer a scheme for professional indemnity (PI) insurance to members of the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW). Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew who provide advice to privately owned businesses throughout the region including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction companies, have secured the contract for an indefinite period. Established in 1991 the IPW is the recognised professional body regulating and promoting Will writing. Entry is by examination and once successfully registered, members are required to comply with a code of conduct and practice. For the protection of their clients, the work of IPW members is covered by professional indemnity insurance to a minimum of £2M for each Will written. David Johnston, MD at Johnston Park McAndrew who originally established the company based upon his success at selling PI insurance, has over 20 years experience. He said: “each of the 160 IPW members will approach Johnston Park McAndrew direct to organise their PI cover. Generally speaking premiums in the open market depending on a person’s profession may start at £350. However, because there is a block policy in place for IPW where policies are issued through us rather than the insurance company we have set the rating criteria. Therefore, the price on this scheme starts at £170, which as an attractive saving many members have already taken up." Paul Sharpe, chairman of the IPW, said: “It made sense to offer the contract to a business with an established PI track record. The team at Johnston Park McAndrew are not only knowledgeable and experienced, but attend our committee meetings, organise rating, produce policy documents, assist with claims and many of the other tasks an insurance company would do. This level of service and of course the competitive rates is an attractive marketing tool to current as well as potential IPW members.” --- ends --- 20 April 2006 A West Midlands company has been awarded a contract to fulfil the commercial insurance needs for one of the most exciting city centre building projects in recent years. Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew who provide advice to privately owned businesses throughout the region including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, has secured work for The Cube in Birmingham. Designed by MAKE and led by internationally renowned architect Ken Shuttleworth, The Cube, due for completion in 2008, will be a building of layered glass surrounded by reflective metallic fretwork. Representing the final phase of The Mailbox development it will contain apartments, offices, designer stores, waterside café bars, hotel and a panoramic rooftop restaurant. Commenting on the choice of Johnston Park McAndrew, Director of Birmingham Development Company Ltd, Mark Billingham said: "David and his team at Johnston Park McAndrew arranged the commercial insurance requirements for The Mailbox building, so we invited them to work for The Cube. Their approach, attitude and attention to detail are always thoroughly professional, and that’s why they were appointed.” David Johnston, MD at Johnston Park McAndrew is delighted with the new business. He said: “Due to the Cube’s single identity we will have to consider a number of unusual factors when organising the insurance cover. However, to secure this contract in addition to The Mailbox underlines Johnston Park McAndrew’s commitment to providing consistent high quality services to our clients. We are proud to be associated with such an exciting project and look forward to seeing it when completed." --- ends --- 18 November 2005 The office of a West Midlands insurance intermediary will soon become a paperless environment in what the company believes is a first for their industry within the commercial sector. Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew (JPM) who provide advice to privately owned businesses throughout the region including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction businesses, aim to achieve the unique status by early 2006. Looking for a way to become more efficient and effective in the dissemination of increased information to clients and prospective new business - a condition of their January 2005 FSA (Financial Services Authority) registration – the decision to changeover was made by JPM last summer. Combining Insurecom TAM software, transaction and day filing systems with a multi page scanner they embarked on the process of converting all files into an electronic format. David Johnston, MD at JPM is very pleased with progress and is looking forward to completing the conversion. He said: “I’m sure many brokers are not keen to let go of old systems as the paperless office concept requires a fundamental change in working practices. However, increased office efficiency, instant access to electronic files, and the right people carrying out the right tasks, for example, sales people selling rather than being tied down with administration, has benefited both our staff and clients. In addition, we have liberated a huge amount of office space, are much quicker at sending submissions to insurance companies due to time saved in duplicating declaration forms and have a foolproof disaster recovery programme because all our files are backed up and stored on an off site server.” Commenting on future prospects he continued: "The changeover has been phased in at a pace to suit our staff and not disrupt the business of selling insurance. With the obvious benefits resulting from a paperless office, I don’t see them moving to companies who use paper based systems. So, as JPM expands at 25% year-on-year, we retain a stable team providing quality services.” --- ends --- 06 October 2005 A West Midlands commercial insurance intermediary has taken on six new employees as part of an of expansion programme. Halesowen based Johnston Park McAndrew (JPM) who provide advice to privately owned businesses throughout the region including accountants, surveyors, estate agents, architects, engineers, property owners, as well as manufacturing, motor trade and construction businesses, have now increased their staff to nineteen.The new posts include a claims manager, two sales executives, an administration supervisor, a senior administrator and a development consultant. One in a number of significant changes for the business over the last year, David Johnston MD at JPM said: “Since being established in 1995 we have consistently grown by 20% per annum. This year, however, has seen more activity than most. We are now regulated by the FSA and recently completed our first financial report return. We have taken new facilities with Zurich and Sterling Insurance, set up a delegated authority scheme for property owners through Royal and Sun Alliance and established an enterprise unit for all our clients with premiums under £2,500. In addition, we have updated the image and branding of JPM, including the launch of a new website at www.jpm-insurance.co.uk. We have also taken over the commercial book of Vauntage Insurance Brokers and are 99% towards becoming a paperless office.” Commenting on the recruitment process at JPM, he continued: “Some businesses wait until they’re straining under increased workloads and too much pressure, before taking on new staff. We tend to work the other way around, that is, by planning growth and employing appropriate people to accommodate those plans. With a 30% increase in year-on-year turnover, we’ll be looking to recruit again in about 12 months. Most importantly and as a result of the changes we will continue to provide a personal one-to-one service to our clients.” Your business future in sure hands |
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