P B Curran

P B Curran is entering Family Business Of The Year and Small Business Of The Year as it strides on with its growth strategy.

P B Curran moved from its city centre offices in High Petergate, York, to larger premises in Osbaldwick in 2008, as it began to fulfil its ambitions to become one of the region’s most prominent commercial insurance specialists. Since 2005, it has acquired four Yorkshire brokerages – R Butterfield in Boston Spa, TCR Swiffen in Skipton, Bolan Dale Limited in York and Neil Readman Insurance near Pocklington.

During that period, turnover has increased year on year. The business has also tripled its number of employees to 23 staff.

Edward Curran, managing director, and son of Patrick Curran, who founded the business in 1961, said he wanted to retain the traditional values of personal service and client contact his father instilled in the business.

Patrick is still very much involved in the running of the business, supporting Edward’s growth strategies as he has handed over the reins.

Edward said: “We offer a local and very customer-focused insurance service to a wide range of clients from small business owners to larger organisations. Clients generally deal with the same member of staff for many years which allows us to develop a deep understanding of their businesses and the risk they face.

“The challenge for such a long established company is finding a way to grow without losing the traditional values of customer service and employee engagement and we have achieved that through good communication and by putting our people at the heart of our business.

“I am extremely proud of our staff and what they have achieved,” he said.

The business’s Osbaldswick premises are large enough to allow for further expansion, and that is what P B Curran intends to do over the next five years, having recently announced three senior appointments.

Maureen Parker and Andrew Johnson have joined its commercial insurance team, and Dawn Johnstone has come on board as office manager.