Through the ongoing growth of McClarrons and the development of our role pathways, we are able to provide our teams with meaningful development opportunities, and after 9 years with the business, we are excited to announce Ben Pickles as Sales Director.
Where it Began
Joining McClarrons as Art & Private Client Manager, Ben brought with him a specialism in high net worth insurance developed during his time as a Development Underwriter at insurer, Hiscox. Ben’s knowledge of the insurance market and his determination to provide a service beyond that of other brokers in the high net worth space drove the development of our proposition for private clients, including a new brand – McClarrons Affinity.
Working closely with colleagues across the business, Ben helped create the McClarrons Affinity offering, ensuring it supports clients with a valueled approach. Ben’s commitment to technical excellence was a core part of McClarrons Affinity’s promise to clients – making insurance advice more accessible to empower clients to make truly informed decisions about their cover, and elevating the overall experience we provide to clients.
Developing the McClarrons Affinity brand allowed us to hone our offering for high net worth clients, forming a more structured proposition with stronger routes to market. This work continues to influence how McClarrons approaches niche and specialist areas, blending the personal approach of a broker with thoughtful innovation and technical expertise.
In this time, Ben also expanded the team. Today, the McClarrons Affinity team comprises of two Client Executives in the South West – Henry Coxe and Robin Nathan, Client Executives based at our Head Office in Malton – Rebecca Marshall and Hannah McClarron, and a wider team of Client Advisors, including Daniel Higham, Chris Wilson, Daniel Stalford, Luis Rusher and Paul Schofield. This expansion has naturally further increased McClarrons’ presence in the private client sector with both insurers and clients.
With this strong foundation in place, Ben progressed into the role of Head of Art & Private Clients. Under his leadership, the team continued to evolve its offering to support clients with high-value homes, motor, collections and specialist risks, while always looking to maintain “service without compromise”. Ben also plays a broader role in supporting the development of the wider McClarrons team, evidenced by his running of study groups for professional insurance qualifications, hosting Sales Training workshops and overseeing the personal development of numerous Client Executives and Advisors across the business.
The Next Chapter: Sales Director
Ben’s appointment as Sales Director marks an exciting new chapter both for him and McClarrons. In this role, he will lead and develop our sales and development activity, shaping the capability, structure and visibility of our broking function as McClarrons continues its long-term growth strategy. Ben will also continue in his capacity as Head of Art & Private Clients for the time-being, ensuring ongoing continuity for both high net worth clients and colleagues, and maintaining the momentum built within the team. This appointment also reflects McClarrons’ commitment to nurturing internal talent and offering clear progression opportunities – an approach that strengthens the business as much as it supports the individuals within it.
Ben comments: “McClarrons is a business where the values genuinely shape how we work, they’re not just what we say. I really feel part of the fabric at McClarrons, and that culture of collaboration, accountability and ‘service without compromise’ is what makes it such a rewarding place to be. Stepping into the Sales Director role is an exciting opportunity to build on what we’ve already achieved, support our people as they grow, and help shape the next phase of the business.”
Ben’s journey through McClarrons is a testament to what can happen when ambition meets opportunity; his ability to lead and adapt has helped shape McClarrons’ position in the high net worth market, and his new role as Sales Director will undoubtedly support the business’s ambitions for the future.
Garry Davies, our Managing Director, adds: “Ben’s progression is a strong reflection of what we value at McClarrons. His technical expertise, leadership and commitment to client service have played a key role in strengthening the business. His appointment as Sales Director marks the next step in our long-term growth strategy; we remain fiercely independent, client-focused and take pride in being specialists in our core sectors.”
Interested in a Career at McClarrons?
We are always looking for motivated, forward-thinking individuals to join our business. If you share our values, you can see what vacancies we currently have available and how to apply, here.
