Ben Dale
As a mountain biking champion, Ben Dale, Account Executive, Private Clients at Clarke Roxburgh, is used to ups and downs. But his clients can be sure of only positive experiences: “Around eight out of ten of the clients I go to see are underinsured. They’re surprised how much their contents are worth.”
What are the challenges of your job?
Working with high and mid net worth customers is the most enjoyable role I’ve had yet in insurance, but it can be difficult to make clients understand why they need a higher level of cover when they’ve been paying a lower premium. The recent Hiscox adverts did a lot to change people’s attitudes – their ‘killer fact’ that nearly half the claims that they pay would not be covered by standard policies really hit home.
What’s around the corner for the industry?
I think the high and mid net worth market is going to grow and grow. There are a lot of wealthy people out there and a lot of emerging wealth. These people will always need brokers to survey their buildings and contents – you just can’t do that via a computer.
What gets your pulse racing?
I started mountain biking after my family moved to Malvern in 1987. At first it was recreational for me, but then when I was 16 a local bike shop organised
a race. I entered and came second in my heat, third in the final and won £50 for being the best local rider.
Have things ever not gone to plan in a race?
My bike occasionally lets me down, but then it’s not unusual to have a minor fall, especially when conditions aren’t great. I can only recall one major fall, when I had to be carted off the track – the course was called the Kidney Shaker!
Do mountain bikers travel in packs?
I do a lot of social riding with other bikers – we’ll ride over hills and mountains and then end up in a café looking for the biggest piece of cake.
How do you stay fit?
During a season, we do two or three training rides during the week, covering 30 to 40 miles in two hours. In the winter, we’ll try to do 60 to 100 miles in four to six hours, once or twice a week.
What’s your next goal?
I’d like to do the End to End Challenge next – cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
The CV
CLARKE ROXBURGH
2004 to present: Account Executive, Private Clients
2003-2004: Trainee Account Executive, Commercial Division
2001-2003: Office Manager, Personal Division
1999-2001: Assistant Manager/Personal Insurance Advisor
1993-1999: Personal Insurance Advisor
1992-1993: Trainee Personal Insurance Advisor
1990-1992: Office Assistant