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Cowens Group Future Proofs with Next Generation of Directors

Cowens Group Future Proofs with Next Generation of Directors

Leading Midlands-based Insurance Broker, Cowens Survival Capability, part of Cowens Group, has promoted three of its Senior Managers to Directors, as the business continues to invest in its reach across the UK.

Declan Shaw, Mark Wilson and Karl Sutcliffe, who are all long-standing Managers at the company, have now been officially been appointed to the Board of Directors, as the business looks to future proof its offering ahead of its 50th anniversary next year.

Cowens Survival Capability is part of the wider Cowens Group, which also offers financial planning, mortgage solutions and employee benefits services.

Declan Shaw, 31, joined Cowens Survival Capability at the age of 16 as a Trainee Broker, before working his way up to Account Executive level. Part of his role involved managing the launch of Cowens’ small business division ‘Cowens Xpress’ in 2019, which he still heads up today, overseeing around five thousand clients.

Declan was promoted to the Management Board in 2020 and was joint winner of the prestigious ‘UNA Achievement Award’ in November 2021, before being appointed as a Board Director in recent months.

He commented on his promotion:

“I am delighted to have been made a Director of Cowens Survival Capability; a business I have spent my whole career working for - and I am excited to be playing a role in the next generation of the company. I’m thankful to the Managing Director, Paul, and all of the team for their support throughout this journey.

“The staff turnover at Cowens Group is extremely low and I am a testament to that - the close-knit, family ethos of the company gives hard-working individuals incredible opportunities to build a career path for life.”

Mark Wilson, 52, has been in insurance for over 30 years and has spent over 12 years at Cowens. Mark was appointed Sales Director in 2017 and will now officially sit on the board of the company. Mark is responsible for managing a team of Account Executives as well as working closely with his own clients.

Mark said;

“I am really pleased to have been appointed as a Board Director. Paul Chaplin has put in place fantastic foundations for the company and the three of us will continue to work alongside him and our fellow directors to build on our success.  We have a real vision for the future of the business and I believe our collaborative approach, together with the fantastic support of our brilliant staff, will enable us to accomplish something really special as we continue to grow.

“These appointments to the board from within the team demonstrates positive business planning and long-term succession, which will help retain and grow confidence in Cowens as a trusted chartered broker who always puts our clients first.”

Karl Sutcliffe, 41, is one of Cowens’ longest standing employees, joining the business in 2000 when he was just 19. Working his way up through the business, Karl was made Broking Manager in 2011 and appointed as Broking Director in 2017, before being made a Board Director this year.

Karl said:

“This promotion to main Board Director is not only a positive move for all of three of us on a personal level, it should have considerable positive knock on effects for the company, our staff and most importantly, our client-base. We’ve seen excellent growth over the past few years and I believe a lot of that comes as a result of our attention to detail, personalised service and the real care we have for our clients. Paul has worked incredibly hard to create a team that reflects that ethos and I’m excited to now be at the forefront of it”.

“As Directors, we are very aware that world is changing and instant insurance quotes are now available with just one click, so evolving to keep up with that, whilst retaining our professionalism and core values, will be key to future proofing Cowens as a trusted broker.”

Paul Chaplin, Managing Director of Cowens Survival Capability, commented on the appointments. He said:

“High quality, independent, commercial Insurance Brokers are becoming something of an endangered species as technology becomes more dominant within the industry. Cowens Group will be 50 years old next year and these new Board appointments will further strengthen our position in continuing to deliver high quality, impartial advice and insurance products into the future, where the only driver is the clients best interests. I’m delighted that we have been able to promote from within our own team and am excited about the future with Declan, Mark and Karl at the helm.”


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