Higos Insurance Services adviser wins Exeter CII Young Professional Award

Julian Harris, Senior Insurance Adviser at ‎Higos Insurance Services, has been presented with the David Grimley Young Professional of the Year Award at the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) of Exeter’s annual dinner.

Julian, who specialises in both commercial and personal lines insurance, joined Higos Insurance Services in 2012 tasked with growing the company’s newly opened Exeter office.

Nearly four years on, the office has flourished and the company has continued its growth strategy with the acquisition of commercial broker AJP Partnership and John Morgan Insurance Consultants whilst opening further offices in Yeovil and Bideford.

Established in 1990, Higos Insurance Services is a leading Independent Insurance Broker and employs over 300 staff across its 21 office network spanning Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, South Gloucestershire, Devon and Wiltshire.

The presentation to Julian was made by Jo Pruden of law firm Browne Jacobson, sponsors of the David Grimley Young Professional of the Year Award.

Mark Fowles, partner at insurance law firm Browne Jacobson and current President of The Chartered Insurance Institute of Exeter, said: “The quality of the shortlisted candidates was exceptionally high. The judging panel had a tough task but in the end decided Julian was an outstanding and worthy winner.

"With over a decade of experience in the insurance sector already behind him, the judges were impressed by Julian’s passion, professionalism, commitment to personal development and delivering the highest levels of customer service whilst spearheading the growth of the company’s Exeter office since its opening in 2012.”

The David Grimley Award for Young Professional of the Year recognises the professional development and achievements of young people across Exeter, Taunton, Torquay and North Devon.

It was first presented in 2006 in remembrance of the late Claims Manager of St Paul Travelers. David Grimley began his career in 1963 in the motor department of the Co-operative Insurance Services in his home town of Manchester and joined Shipton Insurance Services in 1966. A year later he left to join Minster Insurance before joining St Paul Travelers as personal lines claims manager in 1990. Thoughout his career David mentored and trained generations of claims handlers.