PRESS RELEASES?

Four youthful looking insurance advisors at Campbell Autoline (part of the Autoline Group) are approaching their centenary years, working with the leading Coleraine-based insurance brokerage.

Representing the personal insurance team, commercial team and accounts department, Pamela Doherty, Lizzie Graham, Angela Stewart and Jackie Cochrane have clocked up a combined working life of over 95 years with the firm.

Celebrating the takeover by the Autoline Group and the quartet's long service, the champagne corks popped in the offices this week.

James Campbell & Son was acquired from Ivan Campbell by the Autoline Group in May 08 as part of a series of acquisitions to grow the regional presence of the group which included Kyle Insurance Brokers, Ballymena now known as Kyle Autoline.

Ivan Campbell and his staff of 26 advisors are trading as Campbell Autoline and are, servicing clients from their offices on Railway Road, Coleraine with increased partnership with the Ballymena office. Ivan is heading up the commercial side of the business in both the Coleraine and Ballymena offices.

Established in 1952 by James Campbell, the family run firm has grown significantly under the directorship of Ivan Campbell from the early seventies. Pamela Doherty, Personal Lines Manager and Jackie Cochrane, Accounts Manager both joined the firm as school leavers in 1983 and together have over 50 years experience.

Pamela says: "Since then, the industry and the business have experienced a lot of changes. When we first joined the firm we were part a team of six staff based in rented offices in the Diamond, later moving to our current offices in Railway Street where 26 people are employed. One of the most notable changes was the advent of computerisation - we'd started in the insurance business using a manual ‘rating guide'! The actual range of insurance products available has also expanded rapidly; as have the thousands of client policies we deal with.

"The company was initially a general broker, and later Campbell's developed a number of niche market products such as classic vehicle internet-based insurance which is distributed throughout the UK and Ireland."

Jackie Cochrane joined the insurance broker as an administrator in 1983 and now heads up the Accounts Team.

"The increased regulation of the industry is very different from what existed twenty years ago and compliance requirements are continually raising the bar in terms of service and product delivery."

Jackie also notes the increased emphasis placed on staff training and development.

"We are fortunate that staff seeking additional training to further their professional ambitions have always felt supported and encouraged," she says.

The acquisition of the insurance brokerage by the Autoline Group heralds another a new era for the well established business. The Autoline Group is now one of the largest independent brokers in Northern Ireland, and Campbell Autoline is now part of a larger network which employs over 120 personnel.

Pamela says it's a very exciting time for everyone involved in the business.

"As part of the Autoline Group we have access to a whole host of new products including mortgages and financial services.? As a group we can offer even more competitive prices which means our customers will benefit from highly competitive pricing so the potential for growth is very exciting for us," she adds.?

ENDS

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO ATTACHED.

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FOR PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT CATHERINE MCGINN AT MAC PR

Tel 028 4173 9017, mob 077 2029 4413, e info@macpr.co.uk

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