Jane Hunt, managing director of Catapult PR, which has won a large chunk of its 68 awards, to date, for insurance PR and content campaigns, talks to Roger Gaunt, managing director of Gauntlet Group and the Gauntlet Appointed Representative Network.

Jane discovers the rationale behind Gauntlet's driving of the local broker renaissance at a time when market transformation has left some clients in fruitless insurance relationships, with call centres or advisers who do not understand their needs inside-out. This is contrasted to the situation when a dedicated local broker is at the helm of their insurance provision and explains the opportunity that new entrants to the broking market can enjoy, if they deliver that community-feel service but are also armed with what Roger describes as a 'compelling twist'. The elements of this compelling twist are fully discussed, before Jane and Roger talk through five different ways in which the award-winning Gauntlet AR Network can now welcome appointed representatives and provide them with either a head-start or a rebirth.

With the five ways being suitable for every type of insurance account exec or account director - or existing broker - out there, there is a route for almost anyone who wants to join the Gauntlet AR network, if they have the right ethics and morals and commitment to hard work.

As Jane discovers, there is even a route for those who have not accumulated the savings that you traditionally need to call upon, as a financial buffer, when starting a new business and one that can ease anyone into the world of self-employment as a broker.

The most attractive route of all - that for currently directly authorised brokers who are struggling for a variety of reasons in today's insurance marketplace, is discussed in full, from entry strategy to exit strategy, making it a must-listen for any broker coming up to retirement or in their 'twilight' years of broking.

There is also a spoiler alert, as the 5th route into the Gauntlet appointed representative network has not previously been revealed.

There is also time to consider all the elements of the Gauntlet AR Network that make it a unique support vehicle for brokers wanting to start an insurance brokerage and to reflect on how this also boosts buying power. With unsung heroes in the wings of the Gauntlet AR Network, ensuring excellent loss ratios and great commission rates, there is a lot to take on board, whether you are a broker wanting to start from fresh, de-authorise and change status, or even switch network, to access greater benefits.

Who this suits is also discussed and how insurers react to the Gauntlet Appointed Representative Network is also well worth taking on board.

The episode concludes with Jane's own reflections on becoming her own PR boss, her early insurance clients and the tools that she has available as resources, including the Your Insurance Marketing Wake-up Call download, available as a download at the Catapult PR website.

Jane also urges listeners to look out for forthcoming episodes about thought leadership and a new product offering - for the likes of solicitors, vets, accountants, construction firms, tour operators and, of course, insurance professionals and brokers - which will be launching soon.

Jane Hunt talks to Paul Howley, the very first insurance account executive who was selected for Gauntlet Group's new initiative, Gauntlet Brokerage Builder - a unique entry scheme into the world of insurance broking for anyone who wants to de-risk their future insurance business or who does not have the financial buffer to move straight from employment into self-employment without an instant client base. 

This programme, part of Gauntlet's championing of a local broker renaissance in the UK, through its appointed representative network of brokers, the Gauntlet AR Network, allows aspiring individuals to work towards key goals that ultimately enable them to leave the programme with the 'keys' to their own insurance brokerage, if they have hit all targets along the way. 

Paul has done with this great aplomb, speeding his way through the programme and demonstrating how successful an ambitious account executive can be, if they put in the hard work. He now shares his story of what it has taken to achieve his dream of owning his own brokerage.

Jane finds out just what is needed, in terms of an individual's approach to the programme and future self-employment and learns all about Paul's first-hand experience. 

She also hears all about Paul's future new business, set to launch on June 1, and what his aims and growth plan will be, once he becomes a fully-fledged appointed representative.

The episode should inspire anyone who works in insurance sales and who dreams of being their own boss one day but who cannot see how that is achievable, given their current circumstances or commitments.

Jane Hunt offers an overview of the insurance marketing research that Catapult PR has recently conducted, to show what UK consumers think of their insurers and insurance companies and their marketing, in 2023.   Jane urges insurers, insurance providers and brokers to change the grey into scarlet, highlights how nobody will burn them at the stake for doing so and shows what rewards can be achieved by those who are bold, brave and creative in their insurance marketing.  She also signposts them to the research document, downloadable at www.catapultpr.co.uk 

On Re-evaluate Your Life Day, multi-award-winning PR consultant and two times winner of the national CIPR Outstanding Independent Practitioner Award, Jane Hunt, offers an honest assessment on her need to re-evaluate life this year and explains how her passion for Axl Rose and Guns N'Roses, plus a trip to Toronto, where she saw the band play, has been the catalyst for this.

Jane Hunt talks to Roger Gaunt, managing director of Appointed Representative network, Gauntlet Group, and Glyn Arundale, the quality assurance manager at Gauntlet, about the new and groundbreaking Gauntlet Brokerage Builder programme. andnbsp;

The interview discusses how Gauntlet Brokerage Builder allows insurance account executives, who cannot afford to set up an insurance brokerage from scratch, or who lack the confidence to do so, to build their future insurance broking business during 22 months of employment at Gauntlet, hitting milestones that will enable them to graduate as their own insurance boss, with a ready-made client portfolio, at the end of the period.

The interview outlines the other routes to becoming your own broking boss with Gauntlet - the immediate start-up option for those with some financial safety net behind them or de-authorisation, for those directly authorised brokers struggling on a daily basis, through lack of access to insurers or issues such as IT.

andnbsp;

Jane Hunt interviews Robert Bradley, an appointed representative of Gauntlet Group, who achieved his dream of starting his own insurance brokerage just four years ago. Jane discovers what it means to Rob to run his own brokerage - Bradley Gauntlet Insurance Services in Scunthorpe - and learns what he can pass on to other insurance account executives considering life as a start-up broker.

Introduction to the new marketing concept for heritage visitor attractions in the UK - Heritage Buzz - with an explanation of why the new concept has. been launched, how it can assist museums, stately homes and gardens, heritage visitor attractions, heritage railways and other heritage-focused businesses and what sort of support is available.

The launch details provide food for thought for any UK visitor attraction or museum in the heritage sector, or stately home and gardens in the historic homes category, which is wondering how to generate footfall in a tough economic year and how to access affordable and exciting marketing support, on a tight budget.

Jane Hunt interviews two insurance brokers who were both formerly directly authorised by the FCA in the UK, but who have taken the decision to go through broker de-authorisation, using the pioneering system pioneered by Gauntlet Group - Gauntlet De-authorisation Fast-track.

Jane explores the reasons why these brokers took the decision to become Appointed Representatives and how they have been 'reborn' and given a new lease of life in their insurance broking businesses.

Jane also gets the views of Gauntlet's Quality Assurance Manager, Glyn Arundale, to discover how the FCA process has become easier over the course of past 18 months. 

Jane Hunt interviews Roger Gaunt, managing director of Appointed Representative Network principal, Gauntlet, to discover the best way in which an insurance account executive can start their own insurance brokerage and become their own boss.