What does a typical day for our Commercial Director look like?! We talk to Chris Clement ...
Let’s start from the beginning, tell us about your morning routine...
"First up is a cup of coffee, and catch up on the news to start my day, if I’m working in the Carlisle office then I’m usually in the car by 7am. My commute gives me plenty of thinking time to plan out my day."
What does a typical working day look like?
"That’s a difficult one as no two days are the same, which is one of the reasons why I love my job! I could be visiting a client discussing a large or complex insurance risk, I could be speaking with one of our account executives on how their performance is going, then there is the strategic work to bring growth to the company."
How or why did you become a Commercial Director?
"I have worked in the insurance industry for 28 years now, it is a challenging but rewarding career. H&H had been on my radar for a long time as a strong, client focussed broker, and when the chance came to become part of the management team, and help lead the company I couldn’t resist the new opportunity that this role provides."
Do you have a standout moment that you’ll always remember about working in your current role?
"Seeing the Account executives develop in their roles makes me extremely proud. I really enjoy when I get a call that they have secured a client’s insurance policies, as I know the hard work they put in to make that happen. One in particular, was a case that an account executive had been working on for quite some time and was the largest risk they had worked on. When he got the go-ahead from the client, he rang me straight away to tell me, and I could hear the excitement in his voice that he had secured the clients business. I love calls like that!"
What challenges do you face as a Commercial Director?
"The insurance market is ever changing, thankfully I know the insurance market very well, so I can respond to this to ensure that we have the best cover and prices available from our partner insurers. Finding good quality staff within the insurance industry that know and understand the rural economy can often prove difficult."
What advice would you give somebody keen to start a career in insurance and management?
"If you’re customer focussed, and want to come up with solutions for clients, then go for it. No two days are really the same, and ensure that you treat customers and colleagues as you would be expected to be treated yourself."
Finally, tell us how you like to wrap up your day...
"Normally when I’m driving back home, I’ll catch up on some phone calls. When I get home, I’ll usually prepare any files that are needed for the following day, and that will wrap my work day up. Then it’s a case of making tea, if I’ve been at Carlisle I’ll normally come back with a stir fry from Pioneer (Chorizo and King Prawn is my current favourite) then relax with a beer or a gin."
Quick Questions
Your Perfect Weekend
Modern or classic car?
Classic Car, cars are my weakness. I have a 1963 MG Midget which I have owned for nearly 20 years, and don’t laugh, but I’m also restoring a Rover Metro that actually set a number of UK Land Speed Records for distance travelled in 24hrs for Rover back in 1990! But my all-time favourite car has to be a Group B rally car, the mighty MG Metro 6R4.
Box set or documentary?
Box set, I have just finished Season 3 on Netflix of Formula 1 - Drive to Survive. I also like Line of Duty on BBC.
TV dinner or sit-down supper?
Sunday Lunch, my mum makes the best Yorkshire Puddings in the world!
Beer or Lager?
A Nice smooth Peroni goes down a treat!
Signature dish?
I love making Paella.
I couldn’t get through the weekend without...
Having some down time with my children, going out for a nice drive and an ice cream always seems to work well.
Chris Clement, is Commercial Director and is responsible for our team of account executives within H&H Insurance Brokers. With over 30 years insurance experience, he has specialisms in Farming and Agricultural related insurances, alongside particular strengths in writing Fleet and Property Insurances.
As well as supporting the account execs, Chris is also responsible for insurer relations and placement which means the team will often find him nose deep in reviewing policy wordings and procedures with companies so that HHIB clients have the best cover and service possible.