STOCKTON-ON-TEES
Confidence - Lee Elgie , managing director of Gallagher ’ s Stockton office on Teesside , says the company is well placed to support the region ’ s booming businesses .
PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
TEES TIME
Focus on Gallagher in the North-East , a year on from Erimus acquisition
Insurance broker and risk management company Gallagher has offices across the UK supporting local businesses with their insurance needs . Since its acquisition in 2022 of Stockton-on-Tees-based Erimus Insurance Brokers , which is now operating as Gallagher , the firm has ambitious growth plans for the region . Lee Elgie , managing director of Gallagher ’ s Stockton office , tells us more …
In June 2022 , we acquired Erimus Insurance Brokers , to expand our presence in the North-East . The firm had been providing insurance solutions in the region since 1986 , supporting businesses across industries including construction , manufacturing and real estate . The acquisition allowed us to scale up our operations in the North-East , build on our existing presence in Newcastle and service more clients .
Following the acquisition , just nine months later Erimus fully rebranded to Gallagher , bringing the team under our established global brand . Clients and colleagues were placed at the heart of this rebranding strategy to ensure that delivery was consistent and that clients requiring insurance and risk management services were supported by the same team they were accustomed to .
A year on from the acquisition , our business in the North-East has gone from strength to strength and we continue to grow our team through new experienced hires and a number of apprentices . Since the beginning of 2023 , our Stockton office has welcomed seven new people to our team . The existing Erimus team also continues to remain in place , available on the same telephone numbers and all still based in Gallagher ’ s Stockton office .
Gallagher continues to give young people the skills and experience they need to start their careers by offering apprenticeship schemes with the intention that they will stay with the business . In the North-East in particular , the number of people beginning their careers through apprenticeship has increased . This is good news not only for the region , but for its young people who are hoping to enter the workforce .
Gallagher ’ s large UK size and scale means we can take our recruitment drive further , and this is something the business is aiming to accelerate over the coming years by investing in local talent and skills . This means we can continue to make a positive impact and invest in the regions in which we are based .
As well as investing in skills and our people , we want to build on the existing support we deliver to new and existing clients with their insurance and risk management needs . The tech sector in the North-East is growing fast , with its research centres helping drive forward the success of tech companies . Alongside this , the region is booming , with manufacturing , finance and renewable energy companies who are helping to shape the future . Our continued expansion in the North-East means that Gallagher is well-placed to support these businesses and the region ’ s industry growth .
As the North-East ’ s industries continue to expand , we are ready to support with risk mitigation and helping businesses stay protect against any eventuality . We are excited to build on the success we have seen in the North-East and are committed to investing in the region ’ s industries and skills pool .
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