Meet the Team: Lee Tetley, JM Glendinning North East

Learn more about our latest team member, Lee Tetley, who will be joining JM Glendinning at our North East Insurance Brokers Branch. Read about his previous experience and his vision for the business moving forward.

How did your career in insurance begin?

I was faced with two career options when I finished University, one in marketing and another in insurance. I chose insurance because of the number of diverse roles and ways I could see my career progressing…and the rest is history

And how did it continue?

I’ve worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years, mainly working with commercial insurance services, specialising in SME and digital-forward insurance solutions. I started out in insurance sales and renewals and progressed to becoming MD at SMEi prior to its acquisition by Marsh in 2015. I then stayed at Marsh as operations director until moving to Allianz before joining JM Glendinning as the MD of its North East business.

What brought you to JM Glendinning’s North East Insurance Brokers branch?

I knew JM Glendinning well as I live locally to the company’s headquarters. I met with the then-incumbent MD of the North East business Neil Forrest, and Group CEO Nick Houghton and immediately felt like it was somewhere I’d like to work. I was, and still am, impressed by their Group ambitions and their plans to grow the JM Glendinning businesses.

What do you enjoy about your role?

I am back in an entrepreneurial position, in the driving seat. I enjoy having the freedom to make decisions and make a real difference in the business. I also want the fast pace at which we are operating.

What’s the secret to your success?

I embrace change and move forward.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Don’t just take something as read. Do your research, listen to others, then form your own opinion and then act. And then share your findings with others.

What’s next for our North East Insurance Brokers branch?

I am focussing on developing the Newcastle office’s strategy for our well-established SME client base, whilst maintaining business growth and developing our brilliant SME teams. Our plan for the year ahead is to continue to invest in our people and to also continue to be the North East Insurance Broker of choice for ‘off-centre’ niche SME businesses.

What Group CEO, Nick Houghton, says:

“I’m really proud of what Lee and the team have achieved – growing a business looking after a significant volume of clients that often started life online but soon realised the “tech-led” world can’t always service their insurance needs.  Lee brings with him a world of experience in looking after SME clients and I’m delighted that he chose to work with us.  We’ve got big ambitions for our North East team and Lee is the perfect person to lead this part of our Group.”