Many of our clients will already know Dan, who has worked for Shire Insurance for over 10 years. As a senior member of the team, we were delighted when he accepted the promotion to operations director, following our managing director, Clive Morton’s retirement in April. We asked Dan what he feels are the greatest challenges to the veterinary sector in 2021…….
When did you join Shire Insurance and what was your role?
I joined Shire Insurance in June 2010 as a new business executive.
How long have you worked in the insurance industry?
Since 1996 so 25 years. I started in personal lines insurance, then moved into commercial insurance a few years later.
What is the most satisfying part of your job?
Visiting clients. Every face to face meeting always poses a different set of challenges. It’s about building a relationship with a client and dovetailing our products and services to compliment what they do. It’s our job to ensure that if something goes wrong within their veterinary practice, their insurance cover is correct, appropriate and effective.
As the Operations Director at Shire Insurance, what is your vision for the company, post pandemic?
As the UK starts to recover from the pandemic, there will be opportunities for people to start new ventures. Insurance is only part of the service we offer at Shire.
We are brokers, but more importantly we are business advisors with many connections in banking, finance and employee benefits. With our long history of supporting veterinary practices either as new starts or existing practices, I believe we have all the tools and exceptional service levels, to help even more veterinary practices going forward.
What do you see as the greatest challenges to the veterinary sector in 2021?
In a word ‘recruitment’. Finding enough vets, nurses and staff to cope with the huge number of pets that have been acquired during lockdown. The effects of brexit and the pandemic, along with the sale of a large number of practices to corporate groups, which has resulted in the loss of many experienced vets, is going to put a huge strain on the sector.
Shire Insurance has a long history as veterinary insurance specialists. Why do you think that many of our veterinary clients stay loyal to us?
I believe our clients are loyal for several reasons. Firstly we have a team of very experienced account handlers, who have been with us for many years. Their knowledge and experience of the veterinary sector is invaluable. Our ethos is to treat the client how you would expect to be treated. We have a vast range of competitive products, along with established connections with other specialist providers within the veterinary sector, such as accountants solicitors and banks. This means we can help with every financial facet of their business, not just their insurance requirements.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I love watching football. I have a season ticket at Aston Villa and go with my dad, or if he can’t make a game my son or daughter come with me. I am very family orientated, we do a lot together, well we did pre lockdown! We always go to the cinema, so I am looking forward to that when restrictions are lifted and I like foreign travel especially cruises.