With almost seven decades as one of the most trusted jewellers in the North East of Scotland, Finnies the Jeweller is a family business now into its third generation. Started by Ron and Peggy Finnie in 1957, the business has an incredible collection of stunning jewellery curated from major brands and bespoke designers.
The Challenge
From its modest beginnings as a watch repair business, Finnies employs 46 people from its Aberdeen city centre premises, helping customers all over the world identify the perfect engagement and wedding rings, unique jewellery pieces, watches and gifts.
Its core offering is its personalised in-store service, with customer demand taking the business to new growth and plans for larger premises.
Will Blake, Operations Manager at Finnies, said there was a need for an insurance partner with a more proactive approach to support changes and growth opportunities in the business.
Finnies has become known for a focus on quality and service, rather than sales, and decided the time was right to look for a broker with the same approach to relationship building.
The Solution
From the initial meeting, the Blackford team worked to reassure Finnies that we cared about helping them to develop their business in the years ahead.
Pam Mackintosh, Blackford’s experienced client manager, worked with the Finnies team to understand current risks and aspirations for the future of the business, and built a policy plan to protect against the risks which might lie ahead.
This lets Finnies plan with confidence and pursue opportunities in both domestic and overseas markets, expanding premises and developing its customer offering.
As well as insuring jewellery stock and appropriate consequential loss cover, Blackford arranged bespoke insurance for professional liability, travel and car insurance, property and cyber cover.
We’ve proactively worked with Finnies to identify the best insurance to support its growth ambitions – covering off risk at the early stages so the team can continue delighting its customers with beautiful jewellery and exceptional service.
“Having Blackford on board has become an essential part of our future business planning. The team has been really proactive in helping us to identify and then mitigate potential risks, which then allows us to move forward more quickly and with confidence.”
What The Client Said
“Having Blackford on board has become an essential part of our future business planning. The team has been really proactive in helping us to identify and then mitigate potential risks, which then allows us to move forward more quickly and with confidence.
“We’ve only worked with Pam and the team at Blackford for a relatively short time, but we’ve already recommended them to several of our own contacts.
“When I speak to them I know everything has been thoroughly prepared, even things I wouldn’t have considered, and it really helps to have someone who’s able to come in and see us in person. It makes the whole process so much easier and straightforward. It’s also how we like to do business – relationships are important and the Blackford team has quickly earned a level of trust with us which we don’t have with every supplier.”
