2019 Recruitment at Ashbourne Insurance is a Family Affair

Independent insurance broker, Ashbourne Insurance of Hoddesdon, is rapidly approaching its fourth decade in business and this month has recruited Jack Smits as Commercial Account Handler to help support the continued growth of the commercial department.  Jack is the third generation of the Hunt family to work at Ashbourne, alongside his uncle, father and mother. Jack’s grandfather Richard Hunt founded the business in 1981 and with less than approximately 20% of second generation family businesses succeeding this is a significant milestone.

As a local award-winning business with core values of professionalism and delivering excellent customer service, only those capable of working in The Ashbourne Way are employed – enabling the company to keep its promise of offering the best insurance policies delivered with traditional service values. Working with clients from across East Herts, Broxbourne, Essex and further afield Jack was born into the Ashbourne culture and brings enthusiasm, passion and commitment to helping grow Ashbourne into the next decade and next generation.

Photo left to right: (left) Jack Smits, Commercial Account Handler, 3rd Generation Family to work at Ashbourne Insurance 
Right photo: Matthew Hunt, Commercial Sales Director (Jack’s Uncle), Peter Smits, Managing Director (Jack’s father), Sarah Smits (Jack’s mother) and Jack Smits

Matthew Hunt, Commercial Sales Director at Ashbourne said, “We have been experiencing increased demand for our impartial advice to support local Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the county over the past twelve months so it is with great pleasure that we have been able to appoint Jack Smits to the role of Commercial Accounts Handler. There is a tremendous amount to learn about the insurance industry and the high levels of regulation we work within, and already Jack has gone above and beyond during his training period to support me and colleagues. Clients have also commented that is good to see the team has grown as this gives them confidence to ask for more complex insurances like cyber Liability, fleet and multiple premises.”

Amalia Brightley-Gillott, Managing Director of Family Business Place said, ”This is fantastic news for Ashbourne Insurance, its staff, clients and of course family – Congratulations Jack! We have had the pleasure of working with Sarah, Peter and Matt over the past seven years ever since they scooped two awards at our National Family Business Awards (previously known as the Red Ribbon Awards) and our experience of working with a host of family businesses means we know how hard and rewarding it is when working in a family business, let alone the competitive insurance industry.  Some of the UK’s biggest and most successful companies are family-owned such as Cobra Beer, Timpsons, Reed Recruitment and Warburtons; so I think Hertfordshire could see Ashbourne Insurance become a household brand in the years to come. Well done Jack and to all the family!”

Richard and Brenda Hunt, Ashbourne Insurance Founders commented, ”It is with immense pride that we have seen our family take over the management and growth of Ashbourne Insurance over the past ten years since our retirement. Jack’s appointment is a further source of pride as we never thought the business we started nearly 40 years ago would grow to such an extent that it would support our many members of staff, hundreds of local businesses, the community with all the fundraising support and now the third generation of our family. We are confident that Jack will succeed in his new role as he has a first class work ethic, and understands how hard his family have worked to ensure Ashbourne continues to thrive.”

Multi award-winning, third generation, family-run Ashbourne Insurance offers a wide range of business and personal insurance along with a claims advisory service. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Ashbourne employ a team of over 17 insurance professionals, many of whom have been with the company for over ten years.