Connect Insurance Brokers Ltd was founded by Vivienne Gilroy with a £5,000 loan. The company began operating from a dark corner in a small shared commercial office.

Connect relocated to their own first commercial premises at 66 Stafford Street in Hanley. This was the first big step towards becoming a successful family broker.

Vivienne’s husband William Gilroy joined the company forming a solid foundation for the small brokerage firm.

Connect opened an additional branch at 52 Osmaston Road in Derby. It was hoped this would expand their reach by establishing a foothold in Derby.

Dave Mackenzie joined as co-director. This year also saw Connect acquire the neighbouring premises of 70 Stafford Street. The additional office space enabled the company to accommodate more staff and further expand their product offerings.

Further expansion saw a branch open at 13 Cuckoo Road within the Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association office.

The Birmingham branch of Connect was reopened at a more prominent location for the taxi market at 506 Alum Rock Road.

Connect introduced their Motor Trade department which soon flourished to boast a client book of £1,000,000.

To assist with growth and business visibility, the Derby branch relocated. The office is now situated at the more suitable premises at 4 Bramble Street.

The company celebrated 25 years of trading. Connect relocated their Hanley offices to a larger commercial premises in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent. To increase efficiencies, the Hanley office also absorbed the Birmingham branch.

The company launched it’s fighter brand website Fleet Compare to increase market share within this class of business.

The company modernised it’s approach to customer acquisition and entered into partnership with Next Venture.

Connect continued to grow and prosper despite the market turbulence of Brexit and Covid. This was mainly due to the launch of their Courier Scheme.

By increasing their online presence and inclusion in online aggregator panels, Connect are able to continue sustainable growth.

A renewed focus this year and subsequent proactive steps ensured Connect keeps meeting their ESG goals.

Still under the original family ownership, Connect continue to grow and expand to further their reach and secure more business nationwide.