Business

Omagh insurance firm's £1.2m expansion brings new jobs

Celebrating the Dickson & Co expansion are Ashley and Ruth Dickson of Dickson Insurance and Pat Kirk of Pat Kirk Ltd. Photo M T Hurson/Stills
Celebrating the Dickson & Co expansion are Ashley and Ruth Dickson of Dickson Insurance and Pat Kirk of Pat Kirk Ltd. Photo M T Hurson/Stills Celebrating the Dickson & Co expansion are Ashley and Ruth Dickson of Dickson Insurance and Pat Kirk of Pat Kirk Ltd. Photo M T Hurson/Stills

INSURANCE broking firm Dickson & Co has opened a new head office and call centre location in Omagh as part of ambitious expansion plans.

The 6000sq ft premises is now headquarters for all six Dickson branch offices in Belfast, Cookstown, Dungannon, Omagh, Newry and Newtownstewart.

The move represents a £1.2 million investment and over a year of planning and development.

The Dromore Road premises was purchased in August last year and has undergone extensive renovation and fit-out.

At the same time Dickson Insurance upgraded its IT systems to enhance customer service and engagement; improving links throughout its network, streamlining processes and boosting efficiency.

Founded in 1992, the wholly family-owned business has grown steadily to become one of the leading, most progressive independent insurance brokers in Northern Ireland.,and this move will enable the company to expand further.

Currently Dickson Insurance has 50 employees, of which 27 were based in the old Omagh office. The relocation and expansion has already created an additional three posts in Omagh, and the company expects to increase its head office team to in excess of 50 people over the next two years, increasing the total team across all offices to more than 80.

The company is also expanding its Newry branch, having agreed terms to purchase another Co Down insurance firm. Relocation of the Newry business to larger premises will take place next month.

Dickson Insurance works closely with major insurance providers operating within the UK to offer clients a competitive insurance solution tailored to its requirements.

Services cover a comprehensive range of personal, commercial and corporate insurance, including private motor, household, travel, investment property, commercial vehicles, motor fleets, motor trade, agricultural vehicles, farm, commercial property, employer and public liability cover.

A highly experienced team look after all aspects of insurance assistance, claims handling, and health and safety guidance on behalf of clients across Northern Ireland, the Republic, Britain and even Hong Kong.

"This wealth of expertise and attention to detail across our products has established Dickson & Co. as a premier insurance broker that puts the needs of our clients first," the firm's managing director Ashley Dickson said.

"It is integral to our business approach that our clients get the correct cover at the correct price and receive a personal service. No insurance is standard, so we take the time to create bespoke solutions at competitive rates."

He added: "The new headquarters, together with our Newry expansion, demonstrate our commitment to our staff and customers and to the Northern Ireland economy, in particular our Omagh base."