Clients, colleagues and char siu bao: Preston Insurance Brokers celebrates 11 years in business

It started as an idea on a golf course – and became one of Brighton’s best-loved brokers. As Preston Insurance Brokers marks its 11th birthday, we sit back to enjoy some contemporary Chinese classics – from steamed scallops to salt and chilli chicken.

Tucked away in the tourist-filled Lanes is Gars restaurant – this year’s venue for Preston Insurance Brokers’ 11th birthday. A parade of peers, partners and policyholders attended the event, all ready to mingle the night away on the restaurant’s polished bamboo floors.

As guests made their way upstairs, they were greeted with a flute of fizz and a walking conveyor belt of Chinese classics – from steamed and salted starters to napkin-needed barbecue ribs. Shortly after second helpings, Managing Partner Noel Preston welcomed his guests with a few words:

“Thank you to everyone for turning up. It’s great to get to year 11 and none of this would be possible without our amazing team, suppliers and clients – some of whom have been with us from the very start. Here’s to year 12.”

As the night unfolded, we took a break from the banquet to congratulate Noel and get his thoughts on the evening:

“Catching up with some long-standing clients really puts into perspective the journey we’ve had so far. In fact, the first-ever person I gave a business card to is here, Gordon Roff, owner of Phoenix Group Construction. We were both in a queue at Argos. Don’t ask me what I was buying – it was a long time ago. Probably some drumsticks.”

Before Noel headed for the skewered satay chicken, we asked about his business plans for the year ahead:

“More of the same. Our focus will always remain on our existing clients, and with the recent addition of two new client handlers joining our team (Archie Preston and Andy Cook), we have the capacity to manage and arrange more policies for other local businesses.

“In terms of changes in the insurance space, we predict there will be an increased demand for cyber policies and imagine this trend will continue to grow as the digital sphere changes.”