By Kristy Dorsey
Business risk insurance specialist Blackford has appointed industry veteran Chris Tosh as the firm prepares to move into its new Aberdeen office as part of its national growth strategy.
Founded in Glasgow in 2019 by managing director Tom Aldridge, the independent insurance broker opened its next base in Edinburgh a few months thereafter. It is opening its third office today in Aberdeen’s Marischal Square, with Mr Tosh heading up the operation.
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A technical and compliance insurance specialist with more than 35 years’ experience, Mr Tosh joins as a group director. He has previously held senior roles with insurer RSA and north-east broker Central Insurance Services, and was most recently head of UK underwriting at March Commercial.
Also joining from Marsh are Pamela Mackintosh and Maureen Stewart, who will be based in Aberdeen. Ms Mackintosh takes up the post of client manager, having previously fulfilled client service director and head of affinity positions in Scotland during her 29 years at Marsh.
Ms Stewart has worked in the insurance trade for four decades, and was previously a commercial team leader with Marsh in Aberdeen. She takes up a senior broker position at Blackford.
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“I’ve admired the progress Blackford has made in such a short space of time and I’m very honoured to be able to lead the new Aberdeen office,” Mr Tosh said. “The company has quickly established an exemplary reputation since it was founded just over a year ago and, as a result, has enjoyed 100 per cent client retention since October.”
Blackford has signed on 38 new clients since lockdown began in March. Its portfolio includes organisations in technology, professional services, construction, renewables and the oil and gas sectors.
The firm is backed by UK independent broker James Hallam along with a small group of private investors.
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