FEATURE
IT ’ S A
Lofty ambitions – Attis Insurance Brokers ’ Teesside team is based in AV Dawson ’ s former HQ at the Port of Middlesbrough complex .
FAMILY AFFAIR
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH
Thriving insurance broker has history , a family ‘ feel ’ and a personal approach at its heart
When Mike Willett set up his own insurance brokers in 1970 , he had a desk , a telephone and a copy of the Yellow Pages .
With skill and determination , he helped build Willett and Ross on Roman Road , Middlesbrough , into a major player on the local insurance broker scene .
He retired in 2005 – but his children Emma Simkins and Jonathan Willett continue to follow in his footsteps by leading the Teesside office of a rapidly growing business .
Attis Insurance Brokers was set up by experienced insurance broker Joe Henderson last year . With offices in Lincolnshire , Halifax , Leeds , Manchester and Middlesbrough , plus a satellite office in Sunderland , it works with commercial clients across most business sectors .
The Teesside office is based in the old AV Dawson HQ – right at the heart of the bustling Port of Middlesbrough complex .
And as we talk , Emma and Jonathan ’ s passion for the services they offer , and for the area they ’ re based in and were born and brought up in , is clear .
With 55 years of experience between them , they know their subject inside out . The Middlesbrough office opened with a team of two last May . It ’ s now 18-strong - with more recruits to come .
Little wonder Emma says : “ We ’ re looking to grow to be a key part of the future of Teesside .
“ We ’ ve already established a local presence with a reputation for independent advice and service , local claims handling and an individual team that ’ s bespoke to each client and their requirements – we ’ re here for the future .”
The Attis Group also offers additional services , including private medical , pension and investments , credit insurance and bonds .
The Teesside office concentrates on every aspect of commercial insurance broking .
Emma explained : “ You bring us your fleet of , say , 100 vehicles or 15 warehouses and we look to the insurance market place to find you the very best cover and premium for your business . “ But we really get to know your business , how it works and what covers you need – off the shelf policies don ’ t exist for businesses .
“ The main thing for us is providing the customers with the personal service no one else seems to be putting at the centre of what they ’ re offering nowadays . That ’ s what we ’ ve built our reputation on .”
And both feel that despite the costof-living crisis , Teesside offers lots of opportunities for growth .
Jonathan told Tees Business : “ Potentially the country could be going into a recession , but we see Teesside as a vibrant , growth area , with things like Teesworks and the freeport . We want to be part of it and enjoy it in terms of everything Teesside brings .
40 | Tees Business