Tom has worked in the insurance broking industry for 20 years. He founded Blackford in 2018, recognising the need for an insurance brokerage that offers a values-led, fresh and personal approach to both its people and clients.

Tom leads the company, basing many of his principles from his early days in scouting. Outwith work, you’ll find him busy in his garden, at Murrayfield, or walking in Stirlingshire with his dog, Henry.

Mark started working in the insurance industry over 20 years ago and has built up a breath of knowledge and experience across a wide variety of sectors and industries ranging from small local charities through to large multinational corporations.

The best part of the job for Mark, is getting out to see clients and what they do first hand. He says,

‘It’s the only way to truly understand the risks involved and find the best insurance solutions for clients. You get to see and experience some very interesting and unusual things. It can feel like you’re on one of these behind the scenes TV programmes.’

In his spare time Mark loves to cook and travel, he can’t fully relax unless there’s a dinner party or a city break in the calendar! Mark’s other hobby is all things aviation and is studying for his private pilot’s licence!

Anne has worked in the broking industry for over 35 years, firstly as a claims handler before joining the broking team just over 10 years ago. She enjoys building relationships with Blackford’s clients, assisting with their insurance needs.

Out with work, Anne enjoys going to the football and has a love for music, especially attending gigs.

Elaine has worked in the insurance industry for 30 years.

As one of Blackford’s senior brokers, she especially enjoys the variety of working with clients across many different sectors, and still finds new and interesting industries to learn about.

Outside work, Elaine has a real passion for cooking (her colleagues say her food is brilliant!), and some kind of catering or other foodie thing would be her first choice as an alternative career. A keen gardener, she also enjoys reading, skiing, golf and yoga.

Pippa has a wealth of marketing knowledge and brings a high standard of work to the team. Having worked in the luxury goods sector for more than two decades, she appreciates Blackford’s passion for delivering the very best client experience.

Outside work, when she’s not assisting her husband with his artisan pizza business, she loves being in the great outdoors, getting to grips with gardening, doing Pilates and yoga and spending time with family and friends.

Alan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Blackford, having embarked on his insurance career in 1971.

When he and Tom first met in 2011 they soon realised that they had a lot in common, not the least being a commitment to providing a highly professional but personal service to clients.

Outside of work, Alan is a doting grandparent to five grandchildren. He also enjoys country pursuits, is an armchair sportsman and a self-confessed social history and genealogy geek.

With nearly 30 years claims experience, Emma has dealt with claims at loss adjusters, insurers and ULR providers but has worked exclusively in broker claims since 2004. She joined the Blackford team in April 2022 from James Hallam.

Outside work, Emma enjoys going to gigs, running, fell walking, swimming and charity work.

Michael has worked within the insurance industry for 30 years, the majority of which has been looking after the personal insurance requirements of the more affluent individual and their families. Driven by a desire to provide excellent customer service, he prides himself on establishing strong relationships with his clients and understanding their individual needs.

Outside of work, Michael is a keen golfer as well as an armchair supporter of his local football team.

Charlene followed her dad into the insurance industry after several years working in the banking and finance sector. She joined Central Insurance in a marketing and sales role in 2012, before moving into a broking role following Central’s acquisition by Marsh. Like many

of our team, Charlene joined Blackford to move away from the large broker model and culture, and to be part of a client-focused independent broker.

Away from work, Charlene is a keen traveller with a bucket list as long as your arm, and loves crime novels and autobiographies. She’s also a pro playdate arranger for her son, as well as enjoying time with family and friends.

Duncan is an insurance leader with over 35 years’ experience, working for leading insurance companies, MGAs and brokers throughout the UK.

Advising clients on all aspects of business insurance, he covers everything from due diligence through the deal-making process, to simple, but equally valuable, insurance health-checks to uncover the suitability and competitiveness of its insurance programme.

Outside work, Duncan enjoys travel and relaxing with his family, but he also has a passion for endurance sports so can often be found running up hills, swimming lochs or cycling.

Pam started her insurance career in 1990 with Central Insurance Services, an independent insurance company based in Aberdeen. After working through various departments and following acquisition by a national broker in 2014, she set up a small business team before taking on the operational role of Client Services Director.

Getting involved in solutions for clients’ businesses is what enthuses Pam as well as working closely with colleagues, both old and new, to deliver the very best service at all times.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog and socialising with friends.

James graduated from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University in 2021, with a BA (Hons) in Law and Management James. After discussing opportunities with director Chris Tosh, joining Team B as a graduate broker seemed like a good fit. Since entering the industry James has enjoyed working with clients and colleagues to ensure that all of their insurance needs are met. In particular, presenting Blackfords unique approach to insurance is a rewarding and engaging challenge that makes every day exciting!

James loves the variety of dealing with a new client every day and is working towards further insurance qualifications. Outside of work he can be found at Pittodrie, at a gig or out with friends.

Stephen’s insurance career started in 2006 and he now specialises in cyber and technology, alongside other commercial risks.

‘A lot of people switch off when I tell them I work in insurance, but I love it and would recommend it to anyone! As brokers we talk to people from all walks of life and businesses across all sectors, and I enjoy helping people find solutions to their business risks.’

When he’s not working, Stephen enjoys origami, archery and playing board games with his family. He also has a flock of rescue hens so spends a lot of time hunting for eggs and cleaning the coops!

Kira started her insurance career in 2013 with Central Insurance Services, based in Aberdeen. Since starting her career, she has gained valuable experience – working within various departments, including accounts and the commercial risks team.

Dealing with a variety of clients from different sectors, Kira enjoys working alongside both clients and colleagues to ensure clients insurance needs are understood and met and that they receive the best service at all times.

Outside work, Kira enjoys spending time with her dog Millie & husband Craig and socialising with family & friends.

Laura originally qualified as a Solicitor with Dundas & Wilson (now part of CMS) before moving into insurance. She looks after the full range of commercial insurances but particularly specialises in Financial Lines, with a number of clients in the fund management, technology and energy sectors.

In her spare time Laura loves watching her daughters play football, is a big fan of Podcasts and is attempting to learn Italian. She’s also a Trustee of the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank.

Laura has worked in the insurance industry for 18 years, focusing on private clients.  She believes in adding value through her extensive knowledge of the insurance industry, dealing with market leading products and maintaining high quality, personal service to protect her client’s lifestyle.

Away from the office, Laura enjoys relaxing with her family and dogs, that’s when she’s not driving around the country to various race tracks with her son who is a go-kart racer!

Having spent the majority of her career in the insurance industry, Maureen brings a wealth of knowledge to Team B. Working across a variety of commercial insurances, she enjoys talking to clients to understand their individual needs and thrives on finding the appropriate solutions for them.

When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her grand-daughter, walking, swimming and relaxing with her nose stuck in a good book!

On leaving school in 1985, Chris joined Royal Insurance (now RSA) as a management trainee enjoying a high level of technical background. In 2003, he joined Central Insurance Services becoming a Director and upon their amalgamation with Marsh, became Marsh Commercial’s Underwriting Director across the entire UK operation.

Chris joined Blackford as Group Director in 2020, and is developing a portfolio of clients across Scotland operating primarily in Energy/Renewables, Construction, Real Estate, Manufacturing and Distribution sectors.

Outside work, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing hobbies with his two sons which include cycling, swimming and golf.

Having graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA in Commerce, Fiona took a year out, working in a DIY shop, before a recruitment drive by a global broker drew her into the insurance world.

Fiona became a member of the Fellowship of the Chartered Insurance Institute when she passed her FCII in 2008.

During her 24 years in insurance, Fiona has developed her expertise across many different businesses including multi-nationals, football clubs, start-ups, universities and small sole traders.

Outside work, Fiona loves football and is a season ticket holder of a particular Glasgow club. Another love is music, attending live gigs of her favourites when she can.