Business protection in Birmingham
Business Protection in Birmingham
Advice for directors and business owners across Birmingham and the West Midlands, from a local adviser who meets you in person.
I help owners of established Birmingham and West Midlands businesses answer the questions most of them put off: what happens to the business if a key person can't work, if a co-owner dies, or if the bank calls in a loan someone personally guaranteed.
Free, with no obligation. You deal with me directly.
At a glance
Who I work with
Owners and directors of established businesses
Where
In person across Birmingham and the West Midlands, and UK wide by phone or video
What I advise on
Key person, shareholder and business loan protection
First step
A free Health Check or a 30 minute conversation
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA No. 1034779
Who I work with
Most of my clients run businesses with between 5 and 100 staff, where a small number of people hold everything together.
I meet clients in person across Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Wolverhampton, Walsall and the wider West Midlands, by appointment at your premises. If you'd rather, we can talk by phone or video call, and I advise businesses elsewhere in the UK that way too.
Businesses I often work with
- Construction, groundworks and civils firms, where one person prices the jobs and knows every client
- Engineering and manufacturing businesses across Birmingham and the Black Country
- Trades and specialist contractors, from electrical and plumbing to scaffolding and surfacing
- Professional and family businesses with two or more owners
The three risks I see most in West Midlands businesses
None of these come from bad management. They come from conversations most owners put off.
- The business depends on one or two peopleIf your estimator, lead engineer or co-founder couldn't work for six months, what would stop first: pricing, clients or cash? Key person protection pays the business a lump sum if a named person dies or is diagnosed with a specified critical illness, so there's money to cover lost profit, recruit and keep going. Read more about key person protection
- Nobody has agreed what happens to the sharesIf a co-owner dies, their shares usually pass to their family under their will, not to the other owners. Shareholder and partnership protection, set up alongside the right agreement, gives the remaining owners the money to buy those shares, and gives the family a fair value for them. Read more about shareholder protection
- Borrowing that someone has personally guaranteedMany directors have signed personal guarantees for loans, overdrafts or leases. Business loan protection is designed so that borrowing can be repaid if the person behind it dies or is seriously ill, rather than the pressure landing on their family. Read more about business loan protection
For directors themselves, I also advise on relevant life policies (company-paid life cover) and executive income protection. These protect you and your family, and they work alongside business protection rather than replacing it.
How I work
Straightforward, and at your pace.
A short conversation
Usually 30 minutes, at your premises or by phone. I ask the questions nobody else asks about how your business would cope.
A clear picture
I look at your people, your ownership and your borrowing, and show you where the real gaps are. Sometimes the answer is that you're already well covered.
Advice and arrangement
If cover makes sense, I recommend it from my panel of leading UK insurers and help put the right agreements and trusts in place with your accountant or solicitor.
Reviews as you grow
Businesses change. I check in so your protection keeps up with new partners, new borrowing and a growing team.
Why owners work with me
- I specialise in business protection. I've advised on protection since 2010, and businesses like yours are my main focus.
- I'm local. I'm based in Birmingham and meet clients face to face across the West Midlands.
- You deal with me directly, from the first conversation to any claim. No call centre, no handover.
- I work with your existing advisers. I'm happy to work alongside your accountant or solicitor, so everything fits together.
Prefer to send a message?
Tell me a little about your business and I'll come back to you to arrange a conversation. Please don't include health information.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between key person and shareholder protection?
Key person protection pays the business, to protect profits and keep things running. Shareholder protection provides money for the remaining owners to buy a co-owner's shares, so ownership stays with the people running the business.
Is a relevant life policy enough to protect my business?
No. A relevant life policy pays your family, not the business. It's valuable for directors, but it doesn't replace key person or shareholder protection.
Do you only work with businesses in Birmingham?
I meet clients in person across Birmingham and the West Midlands, and I advise businesses throughout the UK by phone and video call.
Is business protection a tax-deductible expense?
It depends on how the cover is set up and the purpose of the policy. I'll explain the position for your business, and I recommend confirming it with your accountant. Read my guide to key man insurance taxation.
How long does it take to set up?
That depends on the amount of cover and the insurer's health questions. A simple case can be in place within weeks. Where agreements or trusts are needed, I coordinate with your solicitor or accountant so nothing is missed.
Not sure where to start?
My free Business Resilience Health Check takes about five minutes. You answer 12 questions about your business and see straight away where the gaps are.
Or call me on 0121 663 0171