Patons Insurance has been finding the right insurance for taxi drivers for decades.
The family business is now looking to step up another gear and as part of a major growth plan they have appointed Jo Noonan as Operations Director, and Matt Chadwick as Sales Director, establishing an experienced and dedicated management team looking to the future.
Patons new directors are extremely experienced insurance veterans and have spent decades working together in the industry, getting to know what matters to clients and insurers and providing a service with can deliver those needs.
Managing director Darren Roberts has been in the driving seat since 2010 and has seen the business enjoy successful growth. Darren’s key focus has been how Patons looks after customers, both drivers and insurers, as well as its own people.
Darren said: “Jo and Matt are both highly experienced senior managers within our business with a deep understand of our client’s needs. Within their roles as directors, they’ll have the autonomy to be able to create the structure within the business to support continued growth and high levels of client satisfaction including the support and development of section heads and new managers.’
“These promotions are in recognition of all the fantastic work they have done, especially during the pandemic, which has been key in putting our business in a robust position and ready for the next phase of our growth plan.
“We’ve already seen a strong start to 2022 which shows that after the disruption of the past two years, drivers are coming back to the industry as demand increases now that lockdowns and restrictions have ended.”
Jo, who has been working as an insurance broker for over 30 years and whose role oversees a variety of functions, including client services, facilities, training and HR, was pleased with her appointment.
Jo commented: “We have all known each other and worked together for so long and it is nice to be recognised for the role I have been doing.
“We get on incredibly well and there is a fantastic bond of trust.
“We have been working hard through the pandemic to look after our people first, and make sure the business comes through the other side.
“Our clients were prevented from working because of lockdowns and restrictions and even as they returned to work, demand for taxis wasn’t what it was and we did what we could to support them through that.
Matt was also pleased to be recognised for the work he does, both in terms of overseeing insurance sales, as well as crucial decisions for the business.
“It is a great recognition for the work Jo and I have completed over the previous years.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing to support and develop the next generation of managers within our business and help them to be able to make decisions to keep our clients and insurers happy.
“The pandemic was difficult, and we knew as a team, that we were going to have to make some tough decisions, but we got through that part relatively unscathed and are now in a strong position post pandemic.”
“Whilst I’m the Sales Director, we don’t operate a sales at all costs policy and we make sure that customer service is at the focus of everything we do. We need sales teams who can help customers with every aspect of their insurance – not just to try to convince them to spend more.
“Investing in people is key going forward, especially as things change as we come out of the pandemic and drive our business forward.