At NFU Mutual we’ve always been driven by doing what’s best for our customers, to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. One of the best ways for us to do this is to build a strong network of Agents, based within the communities they serve. Sometimes these businesses are in close proximity to one another and as they grow, merging businesses allows them to expand expertise, build new customer relationships and cover a wider area.
Recently, three agencies took the decision to merge, and we cover their stories below. The mergers enable the agencies to grow in new markets whilst continuing to serve their traditional farming customer base.
Hertford and North Herts
In early May, the Royston and Ware agencies officially merged to become the Hertford and Ware agency and created a brand-new combined office at Hyde Hall Farm, Buntingford. The merger means they can host more events, workshops and seminars, and see even more customers and better serve their local rural communities.
Leonie King, Senior Partner at the Hertford and North Herts agency explains the objective of the merger. “It further enhances our ability to provide a local, personal service to our members. Aside from having a larger, modern, and more welcoming office with better facilities for customers, our new larger office and team will enable us to grow our commercial business, whilst still protecting our core farming clients.”
Colin Campbell, South East Regional Manager for NFU Mutual explained the planning and work involved in the merger. “The existing businesses have done an incredible job over the last two years, merging operations, growing their business, building a great team and of course supporting customers whilst navigating through the pandemic. We want to see this grow and provide a vital service to farmers, businesses and local people, and become part of the fabric of the rural community.”
Bideford and Barnstaple
Bideford and Barnstaple merged their agencies in April. With the individual businesses being only seven miles apart, the merger made sense from a geographical perspective and the new agency business has ambitious expansion plans. The agency sees strong prospects for new business growth from wider commercial markets as well as holding their own in the core of farming.
Senior Agent, Jonny May, explains “Prior to the merger, we were two really close businesses that were competing with each other geographically. What’s more, some of the Bideford employees lived in Barnstaple and vice versa. Barry Llewellyn-Rees and I soon realised the biggest benefit of merging was the efficiency of having one main premises combining our people and administration function into one place. Becoming a bigger agency has given our people the opportunity to specialise their skills and deliver an even better service to customers. And it was quite clear that Barry and I could work together very effectively too.”
NFU Mutual supported the working relationship and merger planning between the managing agents, as Jonny explains, “They offered business support and advice throughout. They’ve been really supportive of our plan to merge our agencies. They facilitated the conversations between the two different agencies and offered external business coaching. Their help made sure we started off on the right foot and to enhance and develop our new partnership too. We couldn't have asked for more.” Jonny describes the merger as exciting for the partnership. “It’s like ripping up the rule book and starting from fresh. We’re able to think more about what we want our agency to look and feel like for customers, our staff and the local community, and run a business which provides a great work life balance for our families. Also, one great location and more resource means customers will experience an even better service.
Chorley, Preston and Blackburn
In December 2021, the NFU Mutual agency in Chorley merged with the Preston and Blackburn agency to create a brand-new office in Lancashire to serve a wider geographic region. The merger created a bigger business with four partners when Jo Oliver, Adam Lovelock and Jessica Rigby welcomed new business partner James Diaper to the team.
As Senior Agent Jo Oliver explains, “As part of the merger we are expanding further, enabling us to provide the local, personal service we’re recognised for and that new Chorley customers can expect to benefit from. With a focus on protecting what matters and keeping customers at the heart of our business, we are always looking to improve on the great service we offer.”
Senior Agent Adam Lovelock talks about the potential that the merger brings for new business development. “The new combined agency has many long standing, successful relationships with a wide variety of businesses in the region. While agriculture is still at the core of what we do, the merger will allow us to extend our specialist provision for commercial businesses, such as those within food and beverage, leisure and tourism, manufacturing and engineering sectors.”