Insurance broker invests £1.5m in new regional head office

Global insurance broker and risk management firm Gallagher has unveiled its brand new regional head office in Wakefield following a £1.5m refurbishment.

Teams from across the company’s existing Wakefield branches have now come together into larger premises at Phoenix Court.

The newly revamped office has seen the installation of state-of-the-art IT, TV and teleconferencing services, additional meeting rooms, and upgraded colleague and welfare facilities.

Gallagher is already one of Wakefield’s largest employers, with more than 200 people based at the Phoenix Court office, including a 55-strong UK IT hub.

In addition to housing teams that support local businesses with their risk management and insurance needs, Wakefield is also home to Gallagher’s national ‘Brand Partners’ operation which manages relationships with some of the UK’s biggest brands.

The new offices can cater for up to 270 employees, in line with the broker’s regional plans for growth.

Wakefield Councillor Darren Byford, responsible for economic growth and regeneration, joined Gallagher employees at the official opening event to ‘cut the ribbon’ and declare the new regional office open for business.

Andrew Brown, head of branch, and managing director of Brand Partners, David Birch, were joined by Gallagher’s CEO of its UK Retail division, Michael Rea, who met with employees and department heads to see how the team is benefiting from the new facilities.

Councillor Byford said: “The launch of Gallagher’s brand new regional head office signifies an exciting milestone, not only for the insurance broker, but also for the city of Wakefield. The impressive facility will bring exciting additional jobs to the region and will be a valuable asset to local businesses, large and small, looking for additional support with their risk management and insurance needs.”

Andrew Brown, Wakefield branch director at Gallagher, added: “We already employ 250 insurance professionals in Yorkshire, across our Wakefield, Sheffield and Leeds offices, with over 200 in Wakefield alone.

“This investment will see Wakefield become an increasingly important commercial hub for the region, while giving us the space to press ahead with our strategic development plans and create opportunities for future business growth.”

David Birch, managing director of Brand Partners at Gallagher, also said: “Wakefield has been a great location for us. On average, colleagues have been with the business for more than 10 years, and the region continues to provide new talent to support our growth.

“That is why we continue to invest in providing on-the-ground expertise and developing specialist insurance and risk management solutions to help firms across the region and beyond protect and grow their businesses.”