Member Article

Neighbouring Coventry Firms Form New Alliance

A trio of neighbouring firms in Coventry within the professional services sector has formed a new strategic alliance.

Inspire Insurance Services, Armstrongs Accountants and Cotswold Independent Financial Services have joined forces to provide an enhanced service beyond their own area of expertise.

The independent companies, which are based in adjoining offices at Mercia Business Village on Westwood Business Park, Canley, recognised the potential for the joint venture based upon a crossover between their specialities.

Whilst retaining their own identities, the firms will work closely together to refer business and effectively become a one-stop shop for commercial insurance, accounting and financial advice and planning needs.

Leigh Mackey, managing director of Inspire Insurance Services, said: “The specialist services that each of our firms provide are naturally aligned and combine that with the proximity of our offices, it made perfect sense to form this alliance.

“We have been making referrals among ourselves on an ad hoc basis when clients have needed our specialist advice. We are now putting it on a more formal footing to extend the mutual benefits of a wrap-around service that is convenient and efficient.”

Coventry-based GME Springs group, which encompasses leading security bollard manufacturer Safetyflex Barriers, has recently appointed Inspire Insurance Services as its broker after a recommendation from Armstrongs.

Paul Farmer, a director at Armstrongs, said: “The GME Springs group is a great example of what can be achieved by us working closer together. They are delighted with the outcome which is good for our client, our business and our alliance.

“Although we are still very much operating as three separate businesses, as close neighbours we are able to draft in an expert from our respective fields at a moment’s notice.”

Auto enrolment is expected to be an area of high demand for Cotswold Independent Financial Services, with employers required to enrol eligible staff into workplace pensions by 2018.

Stuart Startup, a director at Cotswold Independent Financial Services, said: “This alliance comes at the right time with the reform of workplace pensions kicking in and many employers beginning to realise they must conform, regardless of the size of their company.

“Employers need to consider how best to implement auto enrolment and we will be working closely with Inspire Insurance Services and Armstrongs to help those they represent to be compliant with the legislation.”

ENDS

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .