Business Blog

From Apprentice to MD – an honest interview with Macbeth’s Ben Butler

October 10, 2024

Our Managing Director Ben Butler has been with Macbeth since he was 16. This year he turned 40 (shh, don’t tell anyone) so we thought it was about time he shared what he’s learnt from two and a half decades in insurance. We originally thought about asking him to share 24 things he’d learnt in 24 years, but we weren’t sure anyone would read it…

Instead, here’s an honest interview with Ben about his life in insurance including ‘The Office’, drone catchers and playing piggy in the middle…

How did you get into insurance?

I fell into insurance at the tender age of 16. A friend’s sister’s boyfriend (phew!) was looking for an apprentice. I’d been planning on staying at school to do 6th form, but I put my name forward, went for the interview and 24 years later I’m still here. That person looking for the apprentice? It was Paul Macbeth.

What was the insurance industry like back then?

It was a stereotypical old-school office full of filing cabinets. In fact, if you’ve ever watched ‘The Office’, it was pretty similar. As an apprentice, I helped with car insurance and back-end accounting. I also used to do the washing up. I often think if we asked our current apprentices to do the washing up they’d probably (and rightly so!) tell me to sod off.

What did you originally want to be when you ‘grew up’?

I played football for Reading when I was 16 and I dreamt of kicking a ball at Wembley. But I quickly realised I wasn’t going to be the next David Beckham. I quite fancied being a pilot too, until I found out you needed to be good at physics.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the insurance industry over the last 24 years?

The industry hasn’t actually changed that much apart from the tech. When I started, we didn’t even have email (crikey, that makes me feel old), we had ‘green screens’ instead of PCs, and we used to send out letters and memos to insurers. It’s exciting to see how tech is changing the face of our industry but I genuinely don’t think you can replace the human element of what we do. Which is probably a good job because people and relationships is what really makes me tick.

What are you most proud of?

It sounds cheesy but I’m incredibly proud of our staff retention. I’m a natural optimist and a positive person, and I think we provide a genuinely happy place to work. And of course I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t really proud of working my way up from Apprentice to Director and then a Co-owner. It’s proof that if you work hard and dedicate yourself to something, anything is possible.

What’s the best thing about working in insurance?

The people. Even though tech has changed the way we work, we’re still a people-led industry and I love that. The relationships we have with our team, clients and insurers are key to what we do.

What’s the worst thing about working in insurance?

The people! No, I’m just joking. I think the worse thing is that as brokers, we play a lot of ‘piggy in the middle’ and industry service levels aren’t what they used to be, especially since Covid. But then again, that’s the benefit of having a broker. We do all the toing and froing for our clients so they don’t get stuck in the middle and don’t have to put up with poor service.

What’s the most challenging thing about working in insurance?

Trying to change the mindset that insurance is all about price when it’s so much more than that. Insurance is still seen as a commodity but we’re not really selling a product, we’re helping people manage risk. Our approach is very consultative and our clients see the value we add. The challenge is helping everyone to see that.

What do you love about your job as MD?

I love the variety. One minute, I’m working with a client structuring an insurance program, the next I’m sat with a team member discussing their career aspirations or reviewing new regulatory legislation with our compliance team (ok so maybe I don’t love that bit). I just really like spending time with people.

What’s the most unusual item you’ve ever insured?

We insure loads of quirky things on the Marine side of the business. And some very nice car and artwork collections. But the most unusual item we’ve insured would probably have to be a set of giant guns which fire out nets to catch drones.

What has 24 years in the insurance industry taught you?

#1 Relationships are everything (in this industry and in life). Insurance broking is a tri-party arrangement so we need to have strong relationships with clients and insurance companies. That’s also the bit I love the most.

#2 Don’t undervalue your accreditations. The downside of this industry is that anyone can walk into insurance without qualifications (which is exactly what I did by the way). But accreditations (and chartered status) help to build trust. It’s why we insist that every team member gets their certificate of insurance.

#3 Be proud to work in insurance. We don’t shout about our industry enough and I’d love to see more of that. You can build a good, solid career in insurance – it’s a very consistent and resilient industry.

What change would you like to see in the industry?

I’d love to change external perceptions of our industry and for insurance brokers to be seen as trusted advisers, and as critical as the likes of lawyers and accountants.

If you could go back 24 years what would you say to your 16 year-old self?

“You should have trained harder on the football pitch!” Ha, no I genuinely love where I’ve got to. I’d probably say “put more time and effort into your exams and qualifications.” I only got my certificate but I wish I’d carried on and achieved an ACII qualification. I think that’s why I always encourage everyone else to do their studies and get their accreditations.

What would you say to people who think insurance is a boring job?

To be honest, it’s the people that make it interesting. No job is boring if you’re surrounded by a good bunch of people. It’s also pretty hard to get bored when there are so many new and emerging risks in the world.

Tell us something people don’t know about you?

I used to be a drummer but I recently gave away my drum kit to a local school. Maybe in years to come I’ll treat myself to a digital drum kit…but for now I have my desk and the Secret Santa bongo drum from last year 😉.