A self-employed opportunity with plenty of support

Gareth Griffiths has spent the majority of his career in the insurance industry. With years of experience in various roles, he’s gained a deep understanding of the sector and honed his skills in both management and client services. After a successful stint as part of NFU Mutual’s regional management team, where he was overseeing NFU Mutual agencies in South Wales, Gareth embraced the opportunity to run his own agency and become an Agent of NFU Mutual in the Newport agency in 2020. This move allowed him to take on the exciting challenge of building his own team while continuing to deliver outstanding client service. 

So, Gareth, what was it about the Agent role that first appealed to you?
Probably the autonomy. I came into the Newport agency and had the freedom to structure it exactly how I wanted, but with the support of the wider NFU Mutual business behind me. And that’s a major plus. I didn’t have to take it on from scratch. I came in on day one to a business that was ready to go. There are not many self-employed roles where you get to do that. 

Having worked in the South Wales area already, I had a good working knowledge of the location up front as well as the other Agents in the area. As a result of that, I’ve been able to structure this agency to fit the people who work here and their skillsets rather than the other way around. Having that agility allows people to perform better when they can play to their strengths from the get-go. And as we grow in the future and more people join the team, inevitably with different skill sets, we’ll be able to adapt accordingly. 

Tell me a little about the client base in Newport
Newport’s a really exciting and dynamic area for us. It’s a little different compared to what people might think of as the ‘traditional’ view of NFU Mutual. There’s not a great deal of farming around Newport, so although we do still work with businesses in the agricultural sector, we tend to do more on the commercial side. And some of that’s quite complex commercial business. We work with all kinds of businesses, from motor traders to hotel chains. We’ve even got a customer whose business is installing Wi-Fi boxes into Formula One cars, so it’s a real mix. And I think it demonstrates nicely that while NFU Mutual obviously has its roots in farming and those associated businesses, there’s also a lot more to what we do and who we work with. I think that’s brilliant. 

What would you say to someone who’s considering an Agent opportunity?
Honestly, I’d say, don’t hesitate! People sometimes overthink the idea of self-employment, but the Agent role is actually a very low-risk opportunity with plenty of support. You have a solid, regular income and all the tools you need to succeed from day one, thanks to the fantastic backing from head office. It’s not like buying into a business where you’re left on your own – the structure and security are there. If you're an account executive, this is an absolute no-brainer. You’re in control of growing your income based on your own efforts, and it’s incredibly rewarding. 

What’s been the most interesting part of the role for you?
What I love most about this role is the sheer variety and the balance it offers. You get to be out with customers, building relationships, whilst also taking on leadership responsibilities within the team. It’s a unique combination and something you don’t often find in the insurance industry. There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure – no two days are ever the same! If I need an office day, I can dive into the admin, or if I want to be out meeting clients, I have the freedom to do that too. On top of that, having the right team and the right structure means everyone can wrap up their day, log off and go home knowing that everything that needed to be done that day has been done. Seeing everyone in the agency go home with a smile on their face is a massive plus.

And is there anything else that makes it special for you?
We’ve got a wonderful modern office and we’re perfectly located by the M4, between Cardiff and Bristol. It’s not just a great location for commuting but also provides great access to existing and potential customers. We’ve got a fantastic team of highly skilled and very experienced people who always have each other’s backs. No one is ever left on their own to get something done. The support is always there. Everyone here is a hard worker, and ultimately, they’re doing what they do for the customers. That’s who they really care about. I know I can trust them all to do a fantastic job, and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve here. 

Join us on our journey
Like Gareth, you could take control of your future and become an Agent in our UK-wide Agency Network, running your own business with the support of NFU Mutual. Find out more here.