We are delighted to welcome Sally Conner to McClarrons as our new Business Development Executive, joining our specialist Farm Team. Sally brings with her a wealth of experience gained across rural organisations and charities, alongside a lifetime of farming that gives her an authentic understanding of the sector we serve.
A Career Rooted in Rural Life
Sally is new to the insurance world but has spent her working life in roles that sit at the heart of rural communities. Following her role with the Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Sally went on to dedicate 18 years to farming charity, RABI. Throughout these roles, Sally built trusted relationships and developed a deep appreciation of the realities, pressures and rewards of farming life.
Coming from a farming family herself – and having married into one – Sally has experienced the highs and lows of farming businesses first-hand. This lived experience, combined with her professional background, allows her to connect with farmers on a personal level and understand what truly matters to them. Now, working with McClarrons, Sally continues to support farmers in protecting their businesses and lifestyles in a new way.
At the Heart of Our Farming Communities
Sally is passionate about farming; it is not just an industry to her but a way of life. She understands how resilient, hardworking and deeply committed to their businesses, families and communities, farmers are. Building rapport, offering reassurance and supporting farming businesses through times of uncertainty is what motivates her most. With McClarrons, Sally will work closely with rural businesses, understanding their individual concerns and the challenges they face day to day. By introducing farmers to our team of farm insurance specialists, she will help ensure they are connected with the right people to receive expert advice and tailored protection.
Sally comments: “I see the first-hand benefits of having an efficient farming business. Many times, disaster or tragedy happens when you least expect it so to have the best possible back up when instances occur gives you the reassurance you need at the time.”
Sally’s appointment comes at a time when her contribution to the farming community is also being formally recognised. She has recently been named a finalist in the 2026 Northern Farmer Awards, reflecting the impact of her long-standing work supporting farmers across the North East of England. During her 18 years with RABI, Sally played a key role in supporting farming families through periods of uncertainty, championing mental health awareness and building strong connections across the wider agricultural industry.
Why McClarrons?
Sally was drawn to McClarrons by the opportunity to be part of a specialist Farm Team and to continue doing what she enjoys most – engaging with farmers and building meaningful relationships around the support available to help them. Having known the McClarrons team for over ten years through her previous roles, she is excited to now work alongside people she respects, helping to support farming businesses find tailored insurance advice that can protect their operations long into the future.
Sally is focused on giving her all to this role and enjoying the work she does: “I just want to give my all in this position, I am nearing the end of my career so to have this opportunity to work with people I respect and like, and to enjoy what I do is perfect for me!”
Grant Hartley, Head of Rural at McClarrons, said of Sally’s appointment: “We are delighted to have Sally join our team; she is an extremely well thought of member of our local farming community, and across the North East of England. Having been present at many of the same events as McClarrons over the years, many of our team members are already very familiar with Sally and the brilliant work she did during her time at RABI. This, as well as her being at the heart of a farming family, makes us excited about how she can support our initiatives and provide insights into the work we do with the farming community.”
Life Beyond Work
Outside of work, family plays a huge role in Sally’s life. With three grown-up children and eight grandchildren, they naturally form the centre of her interests outside of work. She is also heavily involved in her local community, sitting on a rural fundraising committee, Agricultural Local Alliance Network (ALAN), to support rural people and helping to raise funds to transform her local church into a community building.
When she’s not busy with family or fundraising, Sally enjoys cooking, gardening, crocheting, watching her grandchildren play sport, and, as she puts it, tidying up after her husband!
