Member Article

Gauntlet Expands Into The Manchester Business Community

Highly respected commercial insurance broker and risk manager, Gauntlet Group, has increased its presence in Manchester by partnering with a new appointed representative, Phill Knight, who started trading on November 1, 2015.

Gauntlet Manchester is the name under which Phill Knight is now running his own insurance brokerage with the backing of the Leeds-based Gauntlet Group. The Group is currently engaged in a period of rapid and sustainable growth and expansion, having been established for more than 20 years.

Gauntlet Manchester has its sights set on handling the insurance requirements of larger commercial clients, motor fleets, care homes, larger hotels and multi-site retailers. The new insurance business has a focus on north west based clients, although those further afield can also enjoy the benefits of having Gauntlet Manchester source the right cover, at the right price, on their behalf.

This customer benefit was one reason why becoming an appointed representative of Gauntlet was such an attractive proposition for Phill Knight, who was previously a director of a large acquisitive broker. Over the last two decades, Gauntlet has built up a network of insurer contacts second to none and can place risks with the whole of the market, including Lloyds, Aviva and Willis, rather than just one or two insurers. This enables it to get the best price and policy combination for business clients, as well as access to insurance schemes exclusive to Gauntlet.

Being able to offer commercial insurance clients such a choice of cover options appealed to Phill Knight, but he also recognised the advantages of being associated with the larger offering Gauntlet could provide. For that reason, he has chosen to trade under the Gauntlet brand name, rather than under a name not reflecting the advantages that being part of the Gauntlet network brings.

He was also attracted by the possibility of being able to offer clients access to Gauntlet’s in-house risk management and health and safety consultancy services - one of the reasons Gauntlet is regarded as more than just a commercial insurance broker.

A new Gauntlet Manchester website is due to launch in the early New Year, but for now Phill is concentrating on referral business and enjoying working from his newly refurbished offices in Radcliffe, Manchester.

Phill says: “The appointed representative route to self-employment was something that really appealed to me and I chose Gauntlet because of its good reputation, size and buying power in the insurance market. Whilst I grow and manage the business, the Gauntlet team will support me with claims, IT and marketing – all the non-core areas that I do not need to spend time on.

“I contemplated the move for over 12 months and experienced no worries or concerns when taking the plunge. I now have my own business, my own offices and a career under my own control. I can offer my customers a continuity of service they won’t find in many places, as I am going nowhere!”

Gauntlet Manchester can be contacted on 07715 836051 or 0161 244 8440 and details of Gauntlet’s appointed representative opportunities can be found at www.appointedrepresentatives.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jane Hunt .