'Our plan sets a clear goal': Northern Ireland insurance broker targets £100million GWP with leadership appointments, regional hubs and Belfast expansion
Dickson Group aims to double gross written premium by 2030 as it opens a new Belfast office, restructures its regional network and targets further acquisitions across Ireland
Northern Ireland insurance broker Dickson Group has set its sights on doubling gross written premium (GWP) to £100m by 2030 as it opens a new Belfast office, restructures its regional network and strengthens its senior leadership team.
The independent broker, which has offices in Claudy, Kilrea and Newtownstewart, currently has GWP of around £50m and is targeting 100% growth over the next five years.
The strategy will be led by managing director Ashley Dickson, alongside three senior appointments: Liam Foley as business improvement director, Michael Gray as finance director and Richard Garrad as sales director.
The group is also consolidating its network of Northern Ireland operations into a series of modern Regional Hubs, bringing its insurance specialists together while investing in technology and digital systems to improve the client experience.
Its network will be anchored by its head office in Omagh and a new Belfast base at The Kelvin.
Ashley Dickson said the expansion would provide the scale and capability needed to deliver the group's growth ambitions: "Our plan sets a clear goal for Dickson Group: doubling our business from £50m to £100m GWP over the next five years. The new additions to our senior leadership team add strength to the business. Coupled with the opening of our Belfast office at The Kelvin and the restructuring of our regional hubs, we are building the capability and scale needed to reach our target.
"We will continue to recruit at senior level and are keen to acquire more insurance brokerages across Ireland, especially those that share our values and want to grow with us.”
Sales director Richard Garrad, who brings 11 years of Belfast sales and marketing experience to the role, will oversee the group's sales strategy and commercial client growth.
He explained: "To reach £100m GWP, we are focusing on expanding our commercial client relationships while driving ambitious new business strategies. Our new Belfast hub at The Kelvin puts us at the heart of the business community so that we can deliver market-leading risk solutions across both NI and ROI."
Richard will be joined on the senior leadership team by Liam Foley, business improvement director, who will lead the roll-out of new software, automated processes and connected digital systems across the business.
Michael Gray joins as finance director, where he will lead financial strategy, governance and capital allocation to support both organic growth and future acquisitions.
Founded in 1992, Dickson Group operates across Northern Ireland and trades in the Republic of Ireland via Dickson & Wilson Insurance Brokers, offering commercial, corporate, personal, and agricultural risk solutions.