Background: John Foster founded Foster Leighton, in 1970 and the company is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary.  Foster Leighton is one of the West Country’s leading independent Commercial Insurance Brokers, Risk Managers and Financial Advisers. The company moved offices in November 2003, following expansion, from Southernhay located in the heart of Exeter, to their present site at Kings Wharf on the historic Quay where they currently employ 16 staff.

Foster Leighton is a co-founder member of the Willis Commercial Network.  This enables the company to retain its independent status whilst having the support and strength of a world leading insurance group.  

Business Link assistance: Foster Leighton have been utilising the services of Business Link since 1996 to assist with marketing and raising the company’s profile, being an early subscriber to BL Extra.  Always known as a progressive and forward thinking company, they created a role for a Marketing Manager and secured the services of Glen King, formerly of Camelot, Operators of the National Lottery. 

Said Glen: “Whilst with Camelot, I had a close working relationship with Business Link and already knew of the many benefits.  Upon joining Foster Leighton as their Marketing Manager, I knew that to utilise the services of Business Link would be one of my greatest marketing tools”.

The Business Link service for Devon and Cornwall is designed to provide the best possible help to people running or growing a business and Foster Leighton has, to this end, received help from Michael Richards, Business Adviser in Plymouth, on their Marketing and Business Plans.  Foster Leighton is a regular user of information from the Business Link website and find the Fact & Information Sheets of particular benefit.  Foster Leighton also regularly request database information to assist them with their mail shots together with Glen attending organised networking events and workshops.

Foster Leighton has found being on the Business Services Register of great benefit.  The service offers businesses the opportunity to be referred by Business Link Devon & Cornwall to potential clients.  

Said John Foster of Foster Leighton:  “The majority of our business has always come from referrals.  Being on the Business Link Devon & Cornwall Business Services Register has further created client referrals, in particular for Professional Indemnity Insurance which has helped the business to grow”.

Outcome: With the help of Business Link, Foster Leighton has all the worry taken out of having to find someone who you can trust to give impartial and up-to-date information or assistance, this in turn has helped the business to raise it’s profile and build upon its well known good reputation and as a result increase business growth.

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