We are very proud to announce that Plan Insurance Brokers have been nominated for The Family Business of the Year Awards 2016.
The awards recognise the UK’s family business sector and celebrates the diversity and contribution of family firms across the nation.
Plan is a family run, independent brokerage specialising in commercial motor insurance based in Surrey. The business was established 25 years ago by Peter Georgiades and his eldest son, Scott.
Gold Standard Service
Built on a trusted reputation for providing outstanding customer service and quality cover the company has steadily grown year on year. Peter handed over the day to day running of the business to his 3 sons over a decade ago but still comes in every day to arrange commercial policies due to his love of dealing with the public.
What can I say, it’s probably the Greek in me but I’m incredibly proud of what Scott, Ryan and Grant have managed to achieve. They’ve grown the business whilst maintaining the principal of personal service and placing customers at centre of what we do.
In order that customers receive the level of service that the family would expect to receive themselves, Plan’s performance is independently monitored by Feefo. Client feedback and reviews are actively monitored to ensure a Gold Standard Service rating is maintained.
Strong brand
The three brothers recognise that having a strong brand is not just the preserve of large companies. As a broker of commercial vehicle insurance Plan Insurance Brokers’ clients depend on having their vehicles on the road – without them they cannot earn.
Therefore Plan’s entire company ethos is geared around helping to keep UK businesses motoring by minimising the chances they might be rendered vehicle-less following an incident. When things go wrong on the road it’s best to have a plan.
Youngest of the 3 brothers Grant Georgiades oversees Plan’s marketing and explains that until recently he’d been slightly coy about putting the family nature of the business front and centre of their communications.
Of course the fact it’s a family business is important to us. We eat, sleep and breathe the company together. But we weren’t confident about how much our own story mattered to clients. However, this nomination shows that people buy from people and the personal nature of the company really resonates.
Rightly or wrongly customers trust in family businesses inherently as they know the owners will be more hands on and will really care. Family businesses have always played a vital role in the UK’s economy and society as a whole. Long may it continue.
Investing in technology
Plan often stands out from its competitors as its young, dynamic management team sees value in developing its digital services. Unlike many in the broker market Plan continues to invest in online technology such as Apps. Other brokerages in the commercial vehicle insurance industry are run by aging proprietors who operate without a succession plan. As a family business Plan has benefited from the fresh ideas and enthusiasm as younger members of the family have joined.
Thought leaders
Plan is establishing itself as a thought leader within the commercial motor industry by providing expert opinion and advice in areas of regulation. Plan has recently been asked to consult by a private hire driver’s union on how to safeguard public safety by reviewing TFL’s processes to insure licensed drivers are at all times fully insured. Their white paper on the subject is due for publication in the trade press shortly.
Diversifying
The Plan brand is well established as a specialist in commercial vehicle insurance, including: chauffeur, taxi, motor trade and fleet insurance.
However, sport – and in particular cycling – is something the family are incredibly passionate about. The brothers were keen to offer fellow cycling enthusiasts and hard-core racers with a product that fully met their needs.
They recognised a gap in the market for a specialist cycle insurance. Hence they launched Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance 18 months ago and are already working with Team Wiggo (Bradley Wiggins’ race team) and Matrix Fitness (Laura Trott’s race team.)
Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance focuses on protecting high-end bikes from theft and accidental damage. The brand sits separate from Plan Insurance Brokers as cyclists and commercial motorists aren’t necessarily perfect bed-fellows. However, the brothers believe there’s great potential in running co-branded initiatives to raise awareness of the need for both customer bases to share the roads safely.
Photo: www.familybusinessunited.com
Support The Family Business Awards
The Family Business Awards created by Family Business United highlight the best of British family firms and culminate in the London based awards reception. The size of the business is not important to the judges but what does matter is that the family nature and values of the firm have been crucial to building its success.
The Family Business Awards are a great way to celebrate hard-working family businesses. If you’re passionate about a family business make sure you nominate it for an award and they might be the next winners of the Family Business of the Year title.
Update: