Author: Mat Tillett, 27 August 2004.
As
insurance brokers quit the high street, Alan Boswell Group expands
Attleborough office
At a time when many insurance businesses are having to leave the High Street, the Alan Boswell Group, East Anglia's leading
independent insurance brokers and
independent financial advisers, is expanding the local service offered by its
Attleborough office.
"Despite the escalation of direct insurance organisations, there's still a big demand for the special service that only local insurance offices can provide," comments the Alan Boswell Group's (ABG) managing director Alan Boswell. "Customers are becoming disenchanted with call centres and automated telephone answering systems. I am pleased to say that our approach remains locally focused, operated by staff with intimate knowledge of local needs.
"We are committed to maintaining and expanding the local insurance services we provide."
This approach has also lead ABG to acquire Norfolk Insurance Services, a well known and respected Hethersett-based broker. All Norfolk Insurance Services staff are relocating to ABG's office in
Attleborough.
The move reflects not only ABG's commitment to the local operation, but also the success of the
Attleborough office. Having doubled in size in only three years, it is now a major centre for insurance, both private and commercial, for a wide area of South Norfolk.
ABG acquires Norfolk Insurance Services Andy Dowler, the Alan Boswell Group director responsible for the
Attleborough office, says, "We're delighted to welcome the Norfolk Insurance Services staff and look forward to working with them. Our first concern will be to ensure that their customers continue to get a first class service and that the switch-over is as seamless as possible."
Dowler says that the Norfolk Insurance Services acquisition also reflects the affect of new regulations bringing the insurance industry under the remit of the
FSA (
Financial Services Authority). "The
FSA regulations are designed to protect the consumer and give the insurance industry a level playing field", he points out. "However, some brokers, like NIS, are finding the cost of meeting the new regulations prohibitive.
"The acquisition is in line with our plans to enhance and expand the service provided by the
Attleborough office. Norfolk Insurance Services customers will benefit, too: they will still receive a first-class, truly local service, but with the added support, expertise and influence of the whole Alan Boswell Group."
For Norfolk Insurance Services partners John Hale and Richard Anderson the priority was also about ensuring customers were protected during the changeover: "The Alan Boswell Group has an
excellent reputation – our customers will be very well looked after," says John Hale.
Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Limited, Alan Boswell Insurance Services Limited and Alan Boswell & Company Limited are authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority.
