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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