This week I spoke to Steve, director at Munro Greenhalgh to find out more about him, his team and the fabulous business that he and his fellow directors run with support from their fantastic team.
Tell us a little bit about Munro Greenhalgh and the team.
Munro-Greenhalgh Ltd are Insurance Brokers – originally found in 1926. We are based in Ramsbottom but have clients far and wide but the vast majority are in the North West of England. The vast majority of our clients are businesses, but we also offer expert advice on personal insurance including home and car.
We can offer advice for most types of business but we have specialist expertise for motor trade, contractors, property owners, haulage/distribution, property owners and retail/wholesale.
We have a brilliant team of 10 staff with over 250 years of combined experience. The business is led by myself, Ian Hayes, Nick Brown and Dave Smith. We undertook a management buy-out when our previous boss retired in 2016. Since then we have expanded the business taking on a new member of staff and launched www.kbbinsure.co.uk, our dedicated offering for businesses involved in kitchen, bathroom and bedroom design, supply or installation.
What makes Munro Greenhalgh different to other insurance brokers?
We focus on service – we are not a call centre. Each client receives a personal service provided by experienced staff who offer an ‘Old Fashioned Service’ but with an insurance solution for the modern world.
For most business clients we like to come and visit them, to understand what they do so we can provide a bespoke solution. This ensures our clients don’t fall foul of common mistakes such as under-insurance, security conditions etc.
Probably most important – when disaster strikes we have an in house claims team providing our clients with the necessary help and guidance to help them get trading again as quickly as possible.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Helping small businesses to have the confidence to take risks (which we have helped control and protect them from!) to grow into much larger successful businesses.
What’s your key to success?
Attention to detail. Making sure that the right cover is in place from the beginning means that the claims are easier to handle and control.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Skiing, mountain biking – basically anything with an element of danger! Exactly the opposite of what I preach to my clients.
What’s the nicest thing a client has ever said about you?
“I wish you were my broker!” It wasn’t from my client – it was the tenant of one of my commercial property owners. My client’s insurer agreed to pay the building claim in 3 days. The tenant’s claim took 5 months for them to agree to pay due to problems with the policy cover.
What could you not do without in the business?
Our staff – teamwork is everything.
What are your specialist areas?
Contractors – I originally started my career as Construction Broker for what is now AON one of the world’s largest Insurance Brokers. This can be simple house builders to engineers undertaking hazardous works in Copper Mines in Chile or complex IT works in Nuclear Power Stations.
If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
To win one of the really big National Lottery draws – imagine what good causes you could help!
Sum up your life in three words?
Make a difference.
So there you go, such a genuine and honest business with a deep rooted honesty and reputation. I particularly love Steve's last two answers - life changing.
You can contact Munro Greenhalgh on 0161 451 3168 or visit at
78 Bridge Street
Ramsbottom
Lancashire
BL0 9AG
