PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Lockton launches new Trade Credit Insurance service Lockton, the world’s largest privately owned insurance broker and Northern Ireland’s leading business and commercial insurance broker, has launched a new specialist Trade Credit Insurance team for Northern Ireland. Nigel Birney has recently been appointed to head up the new service which is now Northern Ireland’s largest team of Trade Credit specialists providing Trade Credit Insurance services, assisting with business growth, and protecting against bad debts. Trade Credit Insurance provides financial protection for businesses if customers who owe money for products or services do not pay their debts or pay them later than the payment terms dictate. It gives businesses the confidence to extend credit to new customers and improves access to funding, often at more competitive rates. The appointment comes as the company expands its service offering in Northern Ireland. With over 100 staff already providing business and commercial insurance services from its office in Belfast and its team of Account Executives from across Northern Ireland,
Kieran Hurley, Account Executive, Lockton
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Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit, Lockton
the addition of Trade Credit Insurance further cements Lockton’s position as the leading and best-resourced brokerage in Northern Ireland. Speaking after his appointment, Nigel said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the Lockton team during a period of ambitious growth for the company, particularly in the specialist area of Trade Credit Insurance. The availability of Trade Credit Insurance and its many benefits will be absolutely vital as we emerge from the pandemic and look to reinvigorate the Northern Ireland economy. “The last number of years has been a tumultuous period for the local market here in Northern Ireland. Our businesses have gone through many big moments including Brexit, the pandemic, and an absent Stormont, which have affected their confidence when trading locally and overseas. The Trade Credit service we can now provide at Lockton means that businesses using our service can trade
with confidence and explore new markets knowing that their business is protected against credit risk such as the insolvency of one of their customers.” The Trade Credit Insurance service will give clients access to intelligent market monitoring, a debt collection service, protection from bad debts, and the potential for greater access to working capital facilities, which combined will help facilitate confident and secure trade both at home and abroad. “What sets us apart is that we have a very experienced and dedicated team fully committed to building relationships who will work very closely with all our clients to really understand and make a difference to their business”, explains Nigel. Kieran Hurley, Account Executive for the Derry~Londonderry region, welcomed Nigel’s appointment and said it signalled further growth and
