April 2016 saw Anthony Joshua win the IBF World Heavyweight title for the first time and a little later that year, a different kind of fighter joined our stable, originally setting up an office in Cardiff and so launching C&C Insurance Brokers in South Wales
Martin Rees joined us from Arthur J Gallagher in October of that year and with over 42 years in the insurance business, he knows it inside out. Martin is ably supported by an Account Manager, Karen James (also ex-Gallaghers) who joined the business in 2018, which is when the office also moved to Newport. Karen has 19 years of experience in insurance and between them, they’ve built a solid reputation as one of the most reliable insurance brokers in South Wales. They don’t focus on any one customer sector, although Newport’s clients are largely commercial. And although the South Wales region is the primary catchment, the team are proud to say they have customers all over the UK.
“We don’t lose business,” shares Martin proudly. “It’s the C&C way to go the extra mile. To show our clients that we care about them, their businesses and their challenges. It’s not something we dwell on or have to think about – it’s just what we do. And when it comes to claims and claim management, we fight our client’s corner, all the way. That’s why clients pay us back with their loyalty.”
And you can see why. Martin and Karen use their considerable experience to forensically challenge and challenge again on behalf of their clients. A client recently had a property claim repudiated by an insurer. Martin challenged it and was knocked back, so he took it to the Ombudsman, who upheld the insurer’s rejection. Most would have given up having exhausted all channels. Martin felt so strongly about his client’s case, he continued the fight resulting in the Ombudsman reflecting on the case and overruling its initial decision, resulting in a significant payout for the client.
What value can you put on that? Well in terms of growth, a significant amount, since practically all new business comes through referrals. Most recently, a client in Liverpool referred the office to a client in Nottingham. Not bad for an insurance broker in South Wales!
Another strength valued by clients is Martin and Karen’s ability to translate. Not between Welsh and English but between English and Insurance-speak. “You have to be bi-lingual when explaining the details of policies and requirements for renewals and claims. Everyone in the business will be able to relate to this I’m sure, but it’s amazing to see the value a client puts on us speaking on their terms.”
Martin admits they are probably a little too heads down and don’t really shout about their successes enough. This is something they’ll be working on as 2023 unfolds, such as being in early-stage talks on adopting the models used by other offices and forging links with local sports team, League Two football club, Newport County. Who knows, given that Stockport County are in the same league, that could prove to be an entertaining battle for the two C&C offices!
