OVERVIEW Does succession mean retirement to you? Do you have good local connections with other brokers or are they your competition? Is collaboration and joining forces in the face of the larger consolidators something that could help you? Join Helen O’Neill and Adam Thompson of Thompson Insurance Brokers discussing these important aspects of life as broker going forward.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: 3-4 Successions DOESN’T equal retirement if you don’t want it to. Acquisition doesn’t have to be faceless, it can be like moving home when done right. Small independent brokers should collaborate and co ..read more

Have you ever considered merging your brokerage? Have you thought about the implications, the resources and how this could work in practice? In this episode we have a fascinating conversation with Peter Stevenson who has recently joined the Ataraxia family. Peter’s business merged with a nearby broker as the deal went through and he talks about how that worked, the crucial importance of culture, and the benefits of high-level interaction with insurers.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:  A retiring shareholder can present significant challenges for those shareholders keen to carry on. A strong client ..read more

OVERVIEW   In this episode Ataraxia’s Helen O’Neill talks to Neal Lowe, the MD of Needham Insurance Services in Nuneaton.  This interview comes somewhat “hot of the press” of Neal’s recent press activity, links to which are attached.  This specifically relates to the launch of Needham’s new liquidation service, developed following their takeover of the Inspire book of business in late 2020, after Inspire went out of business. We explore this in some detail, along with some background on Neal and the business, and of course, Neal’s plans for future growth.     KEY TAKEA ..read more

OVERVIEW In this episode, Luke Clarke (Managing Director) and Adam Boakes (Broker Relationship Director) of Ataraxia, talk to Sarah Myerscough of Boston Tullis, a digital marketing media. They share their thoughts of the market changes brought about by the working from home culture necessitated by the current global pandemic. They also explain where the Ataraxia product offering fits into the current landscape of M&A activity.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Ataraxia’s USP over Network offerings Ataraxia’s USP over Consolidators How Ataraxia are helping their brokers grow   BEST MOMENTS ..read more

OVERVIEW Helen O’Neill of Ataraxia talked to Neil Kerkhove about his journey with Warwick Davis Insurance Brokers – from his start as the humble filing clerk, all the way to MD and majority shareholder. Neil talks about the strong family values of the business, and how important it is to keep those values through strong succession planning, and the steps he already has in play to ensure that the future planning is on track.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Passing down the business from Warwick to Neil in the way they wanted didn’t seem possible, until Ataraxia assisted with a plan. Starting the proc ..read more

OVERVIEW In this episode Jon Stone from Ataraxia is joined by Wes Haynes from Glowsure. Wes highlights the features and benefits of using the property valuation service by RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com KEY TAKEAWAYS: Raises the awareness of underinsurance in the industry and the pro-active way Glowsure try to address this subject with their clients. Highlights the simple and cost-effective measures offered by RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com Glowsure demonstrate they add value to their clients by using this RICS approved facility. Glowsure pride themselves on a service driven proposition, and by ..read more

OVERVIEW In this episode, Ataraxia’s Helen is joined by John Jesson, former owner of RIB Group Ltd who sold in 2020 to a like-minded local broker. John talks to us about his and his fellow shareholder, Terry Harpham’s, initial reasons for joining Ataraxia in 2013. This was broadly driven by the objective of releasing some personal capital,  and replacing their membership of the Willis Network by trading with our markets. We then talk about how the acquisition of local brokerage Assured Insurance Solutions Ltd has transformed their business, and conclude with the whole experience of negoti ..read more

OVERVIEW In this episode, Ataraxia’s Helen is joined by Neil Willies, MD of Neil Willies Insurance Brokers Ltd. Neil talks to us about his initial reasons for joining Ataraxia in 2014,driven by the objective of releasing some personal capital, and replacing his membership of the Willis Network by trading with our markets. We then explore a unique succession solution currently in place, involving “parachuting” a additional successor into the business, to bolster a an planned MBO.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Ability to crystalize some value for personal benefit, without relinquishing any of the prof ..read more

OVERVIEW In this episode, Ataraxia’s Helen is joined by Graham Webster of ABA Insurance Services. Graham talks to us about his complete Ataraxia journey; from the initial deal in 2014, instigated by the need to exit a shareholder, all the way through to his experience in trading with our markets and culminating in the final succession plan which we have seen in the recent trade press.   KEY TAKEAWAYS: Critical to the deal was being able to maintain control of the company, which Ataraxia enabled Graham to do. It’s extremely important for all staff members, not just the directors, form ..read more

The Ataraxia Insurance Broker Podcast offers insight into Ataraxia's unique succession support offering for UK Insurance Brokers, with interviews with real brokers that have been through this process. Observing that “one size doesn’t generally fit all” our Host, Helen, applies “bespoke” planning to the succession dilemma. Helping brokers to identify ambition, gently release capital and construct a robust business plan to protect all the vital elements of a brokerage ..read more