19 June 2012

The US chairman of global insurance broker Lockton has flown in to Birmingham to officially open its new offices in the city centre.

Chairman of the board David Lockton joined more than 60 senior business figures, clients and staff at the launch of the 6,375 sq ft offices on the sixth floor of prestigious 45 Church Street Birmingham.

Lockton, the world's largest privately owned insurance broker, has taken a ten-year lease, signalling its commitment to growing the Midlands operation.

Debbie Day, managing partner of Lockton in Birmingham, said the move from its former Cherry Street offices was undertaken as part of the company's long-term strategic plans to expand its business offering across the region.

The insurance broker, which has 60 offices worldwide, including 10 in the UK, already employs 50 plus staff in Birmingham and is focusing strongly on a sector-driven expansion plan that will target mid to high-end corporate businesses, including FTSE 250 organisations and large private companies.

Since Mrs Day was appointed managing partner in September last year, she has undertaken a root-and-branch review of the business and says it is now poised to attract and retain new clients and increase staff numbers over the next two to three years.

"Birmingham is the second biggest office in the UK and our aim is to be a world class player, servicing Midlands' clients including those who have an international outlook," explained Mrs Day.

"With the office move, new people and growth plans now firmly in place, we are very much in a position where we can move forward and help existing and new clients with tailor-made insurance and risk management solutions."

Lockton offers a comprehensive range of insurance broking solutions, including general liability, employer liability and property. It also has a specialist risk management team and teams that provide bespoke claims management and analytical services.

Mr Lockton, who guided the family-run company through rapid growth and became Chief Executive in 1999 and now Chairman, said Birmingham was now a key office for Lockton's UK business.

"I am very pleased to spend time with our Birmingham operation and fully support our plans for the future," he said. "We are investing heavily in order to attract new clients and new talent to the company, ensuring that Debbie and the team have all the opportunities they need to develop in the region and beyond.

"Since 1966, we have grown from a one-person operation into a global business that thrives on entrepreneurial spirit. Our independence means that we can focus purely on the needs of our clients and Birmingham's growing team will allow the company to maintain that ethos."

(Photo: l to r - Debbie Day, Mike Hammond, David Lockton)

About Lockton

More than 4,450 professionals at Lockton provide more than 15,000 clients around the world with insurance, benefits, and risk management services, offering an uncommon level of client service. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has grown to become the largest privately held insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. Independent researcher Greenwich Associates awarded Lockton its 2011 Service Excellence Award for risk management for large companies. For three consecutive years, Business Insurance has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance."