Putting clients first will be how we ensure the best service
Rob Cockle has the best possible backing for his new business venture. Gloucestershire-born and bred, Mr Cockle has decided to use his extensive career experience in the insurance industry to start his own business. Business Insurance Partnership will see Mr Cockle use his experience, coupled with a support service giving him unrivalled access to insurers, to provide what he calls a “local broker plus” service to clients. “It is something I have wanted to do for a while, but there is risk involved and it's actually an expensive sector in which to operate a start-up, so a sound financial platform is essential,” Mr Cockle said. But before he could set his sights on his own business, a man whose career is all about managing risk had to explain the risks associated with his own business to the most vital contacts: his family. Happily, his teenage son and daughter, gave their dad’s idea the thumbs up and BIP is now a reality. “I thought that they may have some reservations, but I was proud of the way they thought the decision through. And they were good negotiators too – I obviously taught them well!” Negotiations will be key to the new business model that Mr Cockle is embarking upon, using his skills and experience combined with the personal service he feels is his niche, to the benefit of clients. “I think there is always a need for a high-quality insurance intermediary that is on the client’s side of the table in negotiations,” he said. “That’s why we’ve called the company the Business Insurance Partnership. Partnership is the key word because only through true partnership with our clients can we deliver true value.” “We want 100 per cent client retention. It’s only by taking the time to fully understand our clients’ risk issues that we can deliver the advice that means they will want to stay with us year after year. “It’s that investment of time that characterises the best local brokers. The plus bit comes from the experience and the knowledge I have gained in my career.” Born in Stroud and a pupil at the Crypt Grammar
School in Gloucester, Mr Cockle worked for Govier and Ault Limited in Gloucester before spending 20 years working for larger regional and global insurance brokers. During that time, he gained a deep understanding of all aspects of the insurance industry, gaining in-depth knowledge in the technology, finance, logistics, construction, property and manufacturing sectors. Alongside that he has experience of professional indemnity, directors and officers and cyber insurance, as well as motor fleet and international insurance programmes. But most of all, the 30 years in the industry have allowed him to gain an understanding of all types of commercial insurance and, vitally, what the customer wants. “I have worked in a number of roles, many with large multinational firms, but all of them were client-facing,” he said. “Our approach at BIP is to take a step back and understand our clients’ objectives. Insurance is just one method of risk transfer – one way of taking risk off your balance sheet. “We are interested in risk identification and risk management, as well as risk transfer and we have lots of good ideas, some of which will be novel for our clients. “Our philosophy is that all insurance should be simple to arrange, easy to understand and our customers should deal with people who are passionate, motivated and accessible.” BIP clients can call upon not only Mr Cockle’s skills and experience, but a network of experts across a wide range of fields that will make sure their service is matched to their needs. “The core of the business is going to be centred round the skills I have gained,” he added. “But we will also have access to a central resource hub that means there will be colleagues able to give expert advice on all other aspects of insurance as well. “My speciality is in commercial and business insurance, but we will have ready access to experts
76 | December 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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