Preston, Blackburn and Chorley

As the Senior Partner, Jo is the strategic business lead for the Preston, Blackburn & Chorley agency.  She has over 17 years' experience directing and developing teams in both Lancashire and previously in the South West, to deliver the unique service our customers have come to expect. Originally from a farming background in Northumberland, Jo previously worked in corporate roles within the agricultural supply industry for a number of years.  She now specialises in advising our large corporate, agricultural and horticultural businesses in the management of their risks. Jo’s clients trust her to provide a service they can rely on, not only for their personal and business insurance needs but also finding solutions to assist in managing their health & safety and also to identify other potential financial exposures which are frequently inherent within their wider businesses. Jo is also Group Secretary for the Preston, Blackburn & Chorley branch of the National Farmers Union supporting and representing the interests of local farmer and grower members.

Adam relocated to Lancashire in 2014, having already gained a wealth of experience from many previous years within an NFU Mutual agency in North Wales.   He has over 15 years' experience working with NFU Mutual and was appointed as partner and NFU Group Secretary in 2016.  Adam is a specialist in farm and commercial business insurance. As a Group Secretary for the Preston, Blackburn & Chorley branch of the National Farmers Union, Adam is also on hand to deal with any agricultural or rural matters for our farming members. As a Special constable in North Wales Adam’s experience is invaluable in helping our policyholders and NFU members combat rural crime.  Adam has used his previous knowledge to support his additional role as NFU Rural Policing Volunteer where he acts as the link between our members and the police to further help detect and prevent rural crime.

James has worked within NFU Mutual’s network since 2012, enjoying a range of sales and management-based roles across the East of England before relocating to the North West in 2020. Having worked with hundreds of clients from dozens of offices, James uses his broad range of experience to help client’s identify exposures to risk and recommends solutions that ensure businesses can continue to achieve their ambitions. James specialises in commercial, arable, estates and high net worth markets. He is also Group Secretary for the Preston, Blackburn & Chorley branch of the National Farmers Union, supporting and representing the interests of local farmer and grower members.

Jess has worked within the NFU Mutual agency network for over 13 years.  Jess has held a variety of roles and has broad experience and hands on knowledge of all aspects within the business. Managing the operational aspects of the business is the key purpose of Jess' role, she is committed to ensuring the smooth running of the services we offer.  On a day-to-day basis Jess manages our dedicated team of professionals who provide all our customers with a personal service which is key to ensuring we consistently deliver outstanding service for all our clients.

Maxine can provide you with expert advice on life insurance, pensions and investments. She can visit you in your home or you can arrange a meeting in the Preston office.

Jordan is our Financial Adviser and will be delighted to visit you and offer expert advice on aspects of financial planning.

Leanne joined the team in 2021 to support the management team in the merger with Blackburn and Chorley.  Leanne brings 17 years of banking experience in various regulated roles, training and development and most recently the bank manager role. Leanne’s role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities ensuring the agency offices run smoothly day to day; along with overseeing all aspects of customer service and business operations. This includes quality assurances within our training and competence scheme and supporting successful customer outcomes. She is responsible for various aspects of staff management including recruitment.  Essentially working closely with the agency partners to maximise agency resources and performance.

Charlotte joined the team in November 2018 having previously worked in the broker network for over 10 years.  Charlotte uses her experience to provide a friendly, efficient, customer focused approach to her role in managing all aspects of the agencies most intricate customer relationships.  As well as managing the requirements of her commercial customers, Charlotte works with our Agents to manage day to day service of our key commercial and farming accounts. Charlotte is experienced in all aspects of complex commercial insurance including risk management.

Ashley has worked in various roles within the NFU Mutual network since 2015 and this has given her a strong understanding of our customer base and their needs.  Ashley works with key commercial and farming clients to ensure they receive the excellent customer service that they expect from us. As well as managing the requirements of her commercial customers, Ashley works alongside Charlotte and Gareth to manage day to day service of Agents’ customers.

Gareth joined the team in 2020 shortly after completing his degree at University.  Gareth is new to the industry but brings with him first-hand experience in agriculture as he is a first-generation farmer with his partner.  Gareth works with smaller businesses and works alongside Charlotte and Ashley to manage day to day service of Agents’ commercial and farming customers.  Gareth is a member of Clitheroe Young Farmers Club and is also a part of the NFU’s Young Farmer ambassador programme for 2022. Gareth enjoys the challenges being a first-generation farmer brings and being a part of the National Farmers Union means he meets likeminded people.

Donna joined the Blackburn team 5 years ago as a Personal Assistant to the Agents.  Donna has a great wealth of knowledge of the Blackburn farming and commercial customer base.  Donna works alongside the account handlers in providing administration support from booking appointments to supporting with paperwork before and after customer appointments.   

Chris joined the team in 2020 bringing a wealth of experience from a variety of roles within the insurance industry both from an underwriting perspective and a number of regional and local insurers and brokers. Chris specialises in commercial insurance and takes great pride in offering an individual service providing your business with tailored cover to meet your business.

Joanna joined the team in 2020 following a sales role at a national agricultural media company.   Joanna’s role is to ensure that we maintain regular engagement with clients offering them a well-rounded experience with the business.  Joanna also engages with potential new customers to make sure we have an in-depth understanding of their business before looking to offer them a bespoke proposition for both general insurance and financial services.

Callum is on placement with the agency as he is on the graduate programme with NFU Mutual.  Callum manages a book of commercial renewals as well as new enquiries for business insurance including tradesman, hotels, restaurants and property owners.  

Cheryl has worked in the Blackburn agency for 19 years and is experienced across all the products and services we can offer.  Cheryl’s day to day role sees her managing her own book of commercial renewals and can also assist with incoming new business requests, and mid-term changes, for all types of policies. Cheryl is also a claims handler and enjoys helping to provide a quick and easy claims service to our customers.

Sandra has worked with NFU Mutual for over 15 years and specialises in motor, personal and high net worth home insurance.  Sandra is passionate about delivering customer service to a very high standard and taking the stress out of any situation.  Sandra strives to provide the best outcomes for our customers through her claims and customer service role.

Amy has worked for agency since 2014 and thoroughly enjoys dealing with the wide variety of customers that come through our doors.  Amy can assist with all types insurance of enquires and quotes from your personal vehicles, home or horse to your business premises, liabilities and even livestock.  Amy has been brought up being a part of the local farming community so understands the challenges and diverse aspects of modern farming. 

Melanie joined the Preston team in 2018 and undertook an apprenticeship in insurance business and successfully gained her Certificate in Insurance qualification. Melanie takes a lead on overseeing the claims within the agency alongside Sandra and Cheryl.  Melanie is also on hand to provide support and quotes for new and existing personal lines customers. Melanie’s family have been farming in the area for 3 generations which makes it very easy for her to understand our farming community.

Gary has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry and is passionate about delivering great service and understanding our customers’ needs. Gary’s day to day role sees him managing a book of commercial renewals and can also assist with incoming new business requests, and mid-term changes for all types of policies. 

Emily joined the team in 2021 as Operations Assistant to support the agency through the merger with Blackburn and Chorley.  Emily deals with a variety of tasks to help with the day to day running of the office, predominantly managing the renewal despatch and overseeing our accounts system.  Outside of work Emily is studying for an accountancy qualification and spends most of her free time with her horse and milking at one of the local dairy farms.