Proudly Independent for 60 Years By Nerissa McNaughton
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“It’s really our responsiblity to understand the needs of our clients,” Laird points out. “We are the professionals in risk assessment, and it’s our duty to assess, identify, evaluate this risk and offer solutions to our clients.”
He was right. Sixty years later, McLean & Shaw’s shareholders may have changed, but its independence and unwavering commitment to customer service have never changed.
They take this responsibility very, very seriously. For example, if they hear about a life change for one of their clients (for example, addition to the property, growing family, extensive travel, downsizing, business growth) they get in touch with questions to ensure the client is adequately insured.
hen Al McLean registered his insurance company in 1956, he was not aware of the changes that would transform the industry six decades on. However, he was aware that general insurance brokerage, coupled with outstanding service that focused on the needs of the clients, was the key to success.
Gail Tory, CEO, bought the business in 1994, and Doug Laird, President, joined Tory as a partner in 2011. “We are a boots-on-the ground organization that works very hard for our clients and our insurer partners to make sure that we are all successful in our endeavours,” says Tory firmly. “We are very proud of where we are today, an in-depth brokerage firm serving the needs of our clients,” adds Laird. “Independence means there is no ownership of any kind from suppliers in our organization. We have the independent ability to place our clients with the appropriate coverage and insurer, without having any obligations to any particular insurer.” McLean & Shaw services clients throughout Western Canada with cross-border and international insurance requirements.
Thank you for the strong partnership and congratulations on 60 years.
8830 126 Ave NW Edmonton, AB. Canada T5B 1G9 Tel: 780.479.1955 • Fax: 780.474.9325 • www.sokil.com
“We anticipate and ask about the client’s needs,” says Tory. “We don’t ask questions to be snoopy, it’s to ensure we can do our job properly.” “More and more, we are acting as a claims advocate for customers,” Tory adds. “This is part of the service, not an add-on, and it’s important in the world of brokering.” This means that if a client has trouble with a claim, McLean & Shaw are on hand to follow up and keep the process moving as smoothly as possible. McLean & Shaw ensure it is aware of new, trending and emerging products. For example, “Up until this year, overland water flooding on personal homeowners insurance was not available, but now most insurers have come up with a solution to address the needs of homeowners.” This was something that was needed in the industry for a very long time, and a policy of which all homeowners should be aware. For the agile company, it’s more than matching products and services with clients. The CEO and the president both know the company must be efficient from the inside out, and that means embracing technology, having great HR policies in place, building the right team and taking care of its people. “As entrepreneurs, we are sitting here dealing with 23 year olds and 50 year olds. Their needs and expectations are different. It’s a challenge for an entrepreneur and employer to be able to meet those needs and expectations, but matching people with their passions in a commercial environment to keep them engaged in areas that support their interest is exactly what we do,” says Tory. “When I look at myself at my stage of life
McLean & Shaw | 60 Years
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M. GAIL TORY, CEO
DOUG LAIRD, B.SC., FCIP, PRESIDENT
PIERCE KROL, PRESIDENT, GRANDE PRAIRIE
and career, in my experience, which spans 45 years, my big responsiblity these days is mentoring and helping people think through what has to be done. Mentorship is a key factor for any entrepreneur. You’ve got to take advantage of the old guys with the experience!”
McLean & Shaw and started AgPro Insurance Brokers. Bonnie Kluthe has joined as president of AgPro, and we will build that company as managing general underwriter. One of the beauties of being independent is that we were in a positon to provide flexibility and choice without any insurer influence.
Turning 60 hasn’t slowed down McLean & Shaw’s growth.
Tory and Laird take social responsibility as seriously as their corporate obligations. Tory is a supporter of Dreams Take Flight, and the company has completed several charitable initiatives, including supporting Edmonton’s Ronald McDonald House.
Tory informs, “Four years ago we brought on two partners, Pierce Krol and Otilja Majewski. Krol was looking for an opportunity in Grand Prairie. He now has a staff of six and is close to reaching $1 million in commissions. About four years ago we also took all the farm and equine business out of
Tory also enjoys empowering and supporting other leaders. “I joined a group of CEOs called TEC Canada that get together
CNA CONGRATULATES MCLEAN & SHAW ON 60 YEARS OF BUSINESS.
Congratulates McLean and Shaw for 60 amazing years of outstanding client service leadership.
www.cnacanada.ca
60 years of success. Congratulations to McLean & Shaw Insurance Brokers on celebrating their 60 year anniversary. You should be proud of your accomplishment! HOME CAR BUSINESS
www.rsagroup.ca
The BIP logo is a registered trademark of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC). All other trademarks are property of Intact Financial Corporation used under license. © 2016 Intact Insurance Company.
McLean & Shaw | 60 Years | 2
Congratulations! OTILJA MAJEWSKI, PARTNER, GRANDE PRAIRIE
BONNIE KLUTHE, PRESIDENT OF AGPRO INSURANCE BROKERS
once a month to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly in our businesses. We really get down to the nitty gritty as to how we solve industry issues. We seek guidance and mentorship from our fellow members. It’s all confidential.” She smiles with pride. “I’m the only female in my group.” McLean & Shaw is extremely proud to have clients on the roster that have been with the firm since their predecessors first opened the doors 60 years ago, and some of these clients joined the firm for its 60th anniversary celebration. “Our celebration was to share the success and to say thank you to everyone who made it possible for us to meet this milestone,” smiles Tory.
Congratulations to McLean and Shaw Insurance Brokers on 60 years in business! We’re proud to be your partner in customer protection, and we look forward to working together for many more years to come.
sgicanada.ca
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McLean & Shaw | 60 Years | 3
One such client is Sokil, a transportation group that has provided complete logistic solutions for more than 65 years. “Congratulations, McLean & Shaw on your 60 years in business!” praises Greg Sokil. “We have dealt with McLean & Shaw for over 60 years both personally and corporately. We have found the experience and knowledge of their staff (personally and commercially) to be amongst the best in the industry. They are well respected in the community for their innovative ideas. All the best in the future and another 60 years!”
SIX DECADES STRONG Congratulations and thank you for 60 years of stellar service.
Economical Insurance includes the following companies: Economical Mutual Insurance Company, Waterloo Insurance Company, Perth Insurance Company, The Missisquoi Insurance Company, Sonnet Insurance Company. ©2016 Economical Insurance. All rights reserved. All Economical intellectual property, including but not limited to Economical® and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Economical Mutual Insurance Company and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates and are registered and/or used in Canada. All other intellectual property is the property of their respective owners.
Northbridge Insurance is proud to partner with McLean & Shaw Insurance Brokers. Congratulations on 60 years of success!
The president and the CEO conclude, “Those that work with McLean & Shaw know they can trust in the fact that we are going to follow through. What we are selling is a future promise to pay in the event of a loss. What we are selling is intangible. When someone has a claim, they need to make sure we are delivering – and we do. We will continue to build on our existing foundation and look for opportunities like what the company has done in the past, including mergers and acquisitions. We remember our roots, how we got here and will continue to build on the relationships we’ve earned over the last 60 years. Laird concludes, “Our business has been built on a strong referral platform and that word-ofmouth endorsement is a privilege we never take for granted.”
1707 91 St SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 0W8 Phone: (780) 452-5561 • www.mclean-shaw.com
Congratulations to
McLean & Shaw Insurance Brokers on your Diamond Anniversary.
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[3316-040-ed01E | 10.2016] ® Northbridge Financial Corporation, licensed by Northbridge General Insurance Corporation (insurer of Northbridge Insurance policies).
McLean & Shaw | 60 Years | 4
60 years of success in the insurance industry.
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