Martin Holden

Whether he’s planning corporate strategy or competing in an Ironman triathlon, the Director of Gleaming Insurance never lets an opportunity pass him by

You’ve always been a keen sportsman, so how did you find your way into the insurance industry?
I had the opportunity to study sports science at university but decided against it. Instead, I became a trainee for Legal & General and progressed into a role at Willis. I’ve spent the past ten years working with a colleague to develop a liability scheme for cleaning contractors. With Hiscox’s support, we’ve started two businesses: Gleaming Insurance and Gleaming Wholesale.

What steps are you taking to grow your business?
Cleaning insurance is a small market, so our strategy is to spread risk by targeting a large number of clients who all pay small premiums. We actively market ourselves online – I’m linked permanently to my iPhone – and we’ve never forgotten that clients appreciate the personal touch. We want Gleaming Insurance to become the best in the business, not the biggest.

What motivated you to take part in an Ironman triathlon?
I played a lot of sport when I was younger – I was even in the Great Britain amateur rugby league side until a back injury ended my sporting career in 1997. I wanted to make a full recovery and be fit enough to look after my children, so I took a break from sport for the best part of a decade. But when I started training for a local event a few years ago, all my old feelings kicked in. I’ve always harboured hopes of doing a triathlon and I wanted to prove that I could do anything if I put my mind to it, a little like starting a business. Before I knew it, I’d entered the Ironman challenge!

How did the experience affect you?
The 13 hours and one minute I took to complete the Ironman changed my life. Since then, I’ve completed three more events and I’m planning to do two more next year. I train for between six and 15 hours a week in the ten months before an event, so my fitness levels are now higher than ever. Even more important to me, though, is my role as a support athlete for Team True Spirit, a team of injured servicemen – some of them in wheelchairs – who have raised £10,000 for charity by competing in Ironman events.

How do you find enough hours in the day?
I’m not a man to sit around – even when I’m on holiday, I spend most of my time on a mountain bike! Sports photography is another of my passions and I run a small business photographing local events. I’ve never been happier in my day job. In fact, two of the insurance schemes I’m developing are linked with triathlons. There’s just no room for negativity in my life.

The CV

1989–2010: New Business Underwriter, Commercial Team Leader, Account Executive and Director at various insurers and commercial brokers in the North West
2011–present: Managing Director, Inspire Risk Solutions
2011–present: Director, Inspire Risk Management Ltd
2011–present: Owner, Gleaming Insurance (for direct clients)
2011–present: Owner, Gleaming Wholesale (for UK and Irish brokers)