Connect Insurance Brokers Ltd was founded by Vivienne Gilroy with a £5,000 loan and 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, 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.

In an effort to expand their reach by establishing a foothold in Derby, Connect opened an additional branch at 52 Osmaston Road.

Dave Mackenzie joined as co-director, and Connect acquired the neighbouring premises of 70 Stafford Street 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 to the more suitable premises at 4 Bramble Street.

Celebrating 25 years, Connect relocated their Hanley offices and efficiently absorbed their Birmingham branch into a much larger commercial premises in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.

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