Aon targets public sector growth with Scottish team

Aon has revamped its Scottish team ahead of a sustained push to grow its public sector and commercial property business.

The broker has made three key appointments. Graham Munro, formerly with Zurich Municipal, will become public sector client manager. Jennifer Stanger joins the team as property project manager, and Steven Black takes over the post of broking manager.

Steve Young, Aon’s business development director in Scotland, said: “Aon has always had a strong brand in Scotland. Beefing up our business – in particular commercial property – is vital.”

The company is also seeking to exploit untapped potential in the public sector, where over 40% of the Scottish work-force is employed.

Young will be responsible for advising local authorities, where Aon already has a significant presence, and will help to build business links with universities and not-for-profit organisations.

Young said that the new government in Scotland would provide interesting opportunities for growth. He added that that the new recruits would help drive the development of Aon’s niche lines of business, including timber forestry, renewable energy and start-up businesses,

The company also revealed that the recruits would service its global accounts. Black will be responsible for placing Scottish clients’ risks into both British and overseas markets.

Despite servicing some of its Scottish professional indemnity business from Manchester – following the loss of a key team to Marsh in May – Young said that Aon was committed to growing its presence in Scotland.

He said: “The trend is for companies to move centres out of Scotland. But we have looked after business here for decades. We’ll stay on the doorstep of our clients.”

Aon currently has 350 employees based in Scotland.