January 27, 2025
As we look forward to 2025 and all the exciting and positive things it has in store for us, we thought it would be nice to recap on all the equally great things we achieved and experienced during 2024.
From adventurous and hair-raising charity fundraisers to births and marriages, 2024 was definitely a year to remember. Join us as we recount our favourite moments, and look ahead to the next 12 months.
Social Scene
It’s incredibly important to us at Robert Gerrard to make sure our team connections are strong. And what better way to do this than through a few fun social events throughout the year?!
Here’s a slice of what we enjoyed in 2024:
Dancing the Night Away
As some of you will know, our very own Sarah Scotchmer is an established ballroom and Latin American dancer as well as a qualified dance teacher. So who better to get us all on the dancefloor to test our skills in the cha-cha-cha and waltz?
On 2nd August we all headed to the Real Rhythm School of Dancing in Woodford Green to see which of us were worthy of the glitter ball. What a fun night it was, although some were definitely hotter on their feet than others (not mentioning any names!).
First prize in the waltz category went to Gary and honorary Team RG member Jackie, and best cha-cha-cha went to Alex, another honorary team champ.
Sarah runs dance classes for beginners on Wednesday nights at 8pm at Prospect Hall in Woodford Green. So if you fancy acquiring a new skill for 2025, give her a call on 07964 237863 to book your spot!
Big Bake Summer Social
A fun night was had by all at the Big London Bake in August where we all got together to pitch our culinary skills against each other in a competition to create the best cake.
The competition was surprisingly fierce, and dirty tricks and sabotage abounded, with the Naughty Spoon being handed to Luke Weight. In the end, the championship title and golden cake slice was awarded to Teresa and honorary Team RG member Dan.
Big Bake Winners Teresa and Dan
Table Tennis Tournament
It was great to meet our colleagues from Jensten Schemes and Affinities on 14th November at our table tennis night.
We played ‘round the world’ and Robert Gerrard definitely came out as winners for the most people involved!
Charity Fundraising
2024 saw us take on a number of fundraisers, some of them more adventurous and hair-raising than others, but all so incredibly worthwhile and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who supported us.
Lift Industry Mental Health Charter – Mount Snowdon Walk
In March, Marcus Hill was appointed to the Lift Industry Mental Health Charter committee which he considered a true honour. He and Claire Matthews had previously attended a Lift Industry Mental Health Charter course the year before and had become our resident mental health first aiders.
The committee promotes mental health with the lift industry, and does so by organising events and fundraisers to help provide support to lift industry members who need it.
In July, Marcus took on one of these fundraisers – the Snowdon Climb event – which entailed two nights of camping, plus a walk up Mount Snowdon.
Here’s how the ‘wet and wild’ story unfolded, in his own words:
Our base for the event was a camping field, conveniently located next to a pub around 10 minutes from the Llanberis Path – the “easiest” route to Mount Snowdon’s summit. Participants could choose their own path, with a plan to meet at the summit for group photos and to display our company flags supporting the Lift Industry Mental Health Charter.
On 5th July, I left Chingford in glorious sunshine, arriving in North Wales as the sun set. After pitching my tent, I joined fellow climbers at the pub. But the fair weather wasn’t to last, as when my alarm went off early the next morning ready for the off, it was clear that it had been raining all night, and still was.
Our Snowdon ascent brought heavier rain, dense fog, and a dramatic temperature drop to -3°C at the summit at just before midday. Not very summer-like at all!
Though gathering everyone for a photo was tricky due to conditions and a packed café, we managed a few snaps. I told the Charter Chairman I was proud of the climb but wouldn’t repeat it! However, as the rain cleared on our descent, revealing stunning vistas, I changed my mind.
By 2.30pm, we were back at the base, drying out and celebrating England’s Euro Championships win and reminiscing about our experience with burgers around the campfire.
Despite more rain on Saturday night, it was a thoroughly rewarding weekend, made even better having made a number of new friends :)
Cake sale for Unique Charity
Our official partner charity for 2024 was Unique, supporting 30,000+ children and adults with life-limiting and sometimes life-threatening rare chromosome and gene disorders.
Unique provides crucial support to people who themselves have or are parents to a child with a rare chromosome or gene disorder. Unfortunately there’s a lack of information and understanding around rare chromosome and gene disorders, but Unique is seeking to change this and currently supports over 30,000 individuals in need.
To support Unique, we staged two fundraisers, starting on 27th August with one of our now famous cake sales at our Chingford office.
We were thrilled to raise £350 that day and were so grateful to everyone who popped along to sample our home made creations, as well as those who kindly donated online.
Wing Walk for Unique Charity
Fundraising probably doesn’t get more hair-raising than this… on 16th September, our Ellie Jackson and Chrissie Hale pushed themselves to new heights by taking on the monumental challenge of a wing walk.
Determined to raise funds to contribute to the vital work of Unique, the pair put their fears behind them as they took to the skies – on the WRONG side of the plane!
Ellie said: “We both felt it was an amazing experience! The pilot clearly wanted to let off steam, so maybe opting for “maximum thrill” wasn’t the right move – but it was great to be able to do something for a great cause as well as ticking something off the bucket list. I would definitely recommend it and hopefully I get to take to the skies again some time (albeit my family hope I will be inside the plane!).”
By braving it, Ellie and Chrissie raised a whopping £1500, and we’re all so proud of them both.
The Just Giving page is still open to donations, so if you’d like to contribute, it would be gratefully received:
Unique Charity Fundraiser Page
Lift Industry Charity Dinner
We had a fantastic evening at the Lift Industry Charity dinner & dance in October at the Delta Hotel in Waltham Abbey.
We thoroughly enjoyed mingling with lots of lovely people from the lift industry, and it was great to catch up with existing clients and meet a few new faces too.
The Lift Industry Charity aims to provide, often essential, initial financial support to the families of those working in the UK lift industry who are injured or lose their lives. The charity is funded purely through fundraising and has to date made donations in excess of £55,000 to families in need.
We had an amazing evening, definitely a night to remember, and the fact that the event raised a whopping £16,500 for such a worthwhile cause made it all the more worthwhile.
Staff News
2024 was a year of celebrations for Team RG, from new-borns and marriages to home moves and exam successes…
A second child for Laura Morrison
There was another round of joy for our Laura Morrison who welcomed her second child Jude into the world on 27th October, a playmate for son Ronan who celebrated his first birthday on 25th May.
Ellie’s hen do
You may recall that in 2023 our Ellie Jackson got engaged following a surprise proposal whilst on holiday in Seville. With her October wedding pending, there was nothing for it but for the Team RG ladies to get together and throw on a ‘work hen’ to remember.
Portugal was the destination, and it was definitely a memorable few days as you can see from the photos! For Ellie, the biggest highlight was taking to the stage with her golden girls Sue and Julie to belt out her favourite numbers.
Ellie’s wedding
Despite the goings on in Portugal, Ellie made it safe and sound to the altar on 18th October where she married Alex and became Mrs Evans.
Ellie said: “Alex and I had a brilliant day surrounded by our friends and family. It was also amazing to have my RG family in attendance to help us party the night away. I feel so lucky to have such great colleagues around me.”
Exam successes
Luke Weight has been making us all proud since he joined us in 2022 as an apprentice in our Lift Plan team. He’s since passed his CII Certificate in Insurance in 2023, and in 2024 completed his apprenticeship in Insurance Level 3. Well done Luke!
Congratulations also to Ellie who passed her Chartered Insurance Institute Insurance Law (M05) exam, adding to her knowledge and understanding of the laws which form the background to the operation of insurance. She’s now a step closer to completing her diploma, and we wish her every success as she moves towards that fantastic goal.
Warm welcomes
We were delighted to welcome three new team members in 2024:
Teresa Cronin joined us in July 2024 as an Account Executive in our ever-growing Lift Plan team. She brought with her a strong background in commercial and motor insurance, from a career spanning both Ireland and England. As well as her vast skills and knowledge, her ‘happy to help’ approach has made her a popular addition to the team.
William Sakyi became a member of Team RG in August, joining our Enterprise Team as Account Handler. His specialist background in high net worth property, family fleet, and art and jewellery insurance has placed him well to support our clients in protecting all they value. Plus his experience in sourcing cover for mini fleet and commercial vehicles, and travel and rented property, makes him the perfect go-to for our entrepreneur clients.
Annabel Carter became the latest member of Team Lift Plan in December, joining us backed by a decade of insurance industry experience. From underwriting and motor insurance, to customer care management and operations, Annabel has plenty to offer our Lift Plan clients, not least her friendly, bubbly and supportive personality.
Reflections on 2024 and a Vision for 2025 – thoughts from MD Carla Preston
As we head into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the milestones we achieved in 2024, and the exciting path ahead. Last year was one of transformation and opportunity, with the highlight being our decision to join the Jensten Group.
After more than 50 years as a family-run business, we knew it was essential to find a partner who truly valued our specialties, the expertise of our team, and the relationships we’ve built with our clients and partners.
At the same time, we wanted to ensure we could continue our momentum in growing the business while consistently delivering the high standards of service that define who we are.
“Enhancing our services, and seizing new opportunities”
Jensten has been the perfect fit, providing the support and resources we need to achieve these goals. This partnership has positioned us to not only enhance the services we offer, but also seize new opportunities that will benefit our team, our clients, and the wider Jensten Group.
Robert Gerrard Joins Jensten Group
Looking ahead to 2025, there is so much to celebrate. One of the key achievements this year has been the launch of our Lift Plan scheme into Ireland, an exciting step in expanding our footprint and delivering innovative insurance solutions to new markets.
We also begin the year by marking an incredible 20-year partnership with Chubb, one of our most trusted insurer partners. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to excellence.
As we move into 2025, our focus remains on driving growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring we continue to deliver the exceptional service our clients and partners expect.
With the backing of Jensten, the dedication of our talented team, and the trust of our clients, we are ready to embrace the opportunities that the future holds.
I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank our clients, partners, and staff for their unwavering support and commitment. I’m confident that together, we can make 2025 a year of even greater success and achievement.
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As we look forward to 2025 and all the exciting and positive things it has in store for us, we thought it would be nice to recap on all the equally great things we achieved and experienced during 2024.
From adventurous and hair-raising charity fundraisers to births and marriages, 2024 was definitely a year to remember. Join us as we recount our favourite moments, and look ahead to the next 12 months.
Social Scene
It’s incredibly important to us at Robert Gerrard to make sure our team connections are strong. And what better way to do this than through a few fun social events throughout the year?!
Here’s a slice of what we enjoyed in 2024:
Dancing the Night Away
As some of you will know, our very own Sarah Scotchmer is an established ballroom and Latin American dancer as well as a qualified dance teacher. So who better to get us all on the dancefloor to test our skills in the cha-cha-cha and waltz?
On 2nd August we all headed to the Real Rhythm School of Dancing in Woodford Green to see which of us were worthy of the glitter ball. What a fun night it was, although some were definitely hotter on their feet than others (not mentioning any names!).
First prize in the waltz category went to Gary and honorary Team RG member Jackie, and best cha-cha-cha went to Alex, another honorary team champ.
Sarah runs dance classes for beginners on Wednesday nights at 8pm at Prospect Hall in Woodford Green. So if you fancy acquiring a new skill for 2025, give her a call on 07964 237863 to book your spot!
Big Bake Summer Social
A fun night was had by all at the Big London Bake in August where we all got together to pitch our culinary skills against each other in a competition to create the best cake.
The competition was surprisingly fierce, and dirty tricks and sabotage abounded, with the Naughty Spoon being handed to Luke Weight. In the end, the championship title and golden cake slice was awarded to Teresa and honorary Team RG member Dan.
Big Bake Winners Teresa and Dan
Table Tennis Tournament
It was great to meet our colleagues from Jensten Schemes and Affinities on 14th November at our table tennis night.
We played ‘round the world’ and Robert Gerrard definitely came out as winners for the most people involved!
Charity Fundraising
2024 saw us take on a number of fundraisers, some of them more adventurous and hair-raising than others, but all so incredibly worthwhile and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who supported us.
Lift Industry Mental Health Charter – Mount Snowdon Walk
In March, Marcus Hill was appointed to the Lift Industry Mental Health Charter committee which he considered a true honour. He and Claire Matthews had previously attended a Lift Industry Mental Health Charter course the year before and had become our resident mental health first aiders.
The committee promotes mental health with the lift industry, and does so by organising events and fundraisers to help provide support to lift industry members who need it.
In July, Marcus took on one of these fundraisers – the Snowdon Climb event – which entailed two nights of camping, plus a walk up Mount Snowdon.
Here’s how the ‘wet and wild’ story unfolded, in his own words:
Our base for the event was a camping field, conveniently located next to a pub around 10 minutes from the Llanberis Path – the “easiest” route to Mount Snowdon’s summit. Participants could choose their own path, with a plan to meet at the summit for group photos and to display our company flags supporting the Lift Industry Mental Health Charter.
On 5th July, I left Chingford in glorious sunshine, arriving in North Wales as the sun set. After pitching my tent, I joined fellow climbers at the pub. But the fair weather wasn’t to last, as when my alarm went off early the next morning ready for the off, it was clear that it had been raining all night, and still was.
Our Snowdon ascent brought heavier rain, dense fog, and a dramatic temperature drop to -3°C at the summit at just before midday. Not very summer-like at all!
Though gathering everyone for a photo was tricky due to conditions and a packed café, we managed a few snaps. I told the Charter Chairman I was proud of the climb but wouldn’t repeat it! However, as the rain cleared on our descent, revealing stunning vistas, I changed my mind.
By 2.30pm, we were back at the base, drying out and celebrating England’s Euro Championships win and reminiscing about our experience with burgers around the campfire.
Despite more rain on Saturday night, it was a thoroughly rewarding weekend, made even better having made a number of new friends :)
Cake sale for Unique Charity
Our official partner charity for 2024 was Unique, supporting 30,000+ children and adults with life-limiting and sometimes life-threatening rare chromosome and gene disorders.
Unique provides crucial support to people who themselves have or are parents to a child with a rare chromosome or gene disorder. Unfortunately there’s a lack of information and understanding around rare chromosome and gene disorders, but Unique is seeking to change this and currently supports over 30,000 individuals in need.
To support Unique, we staged two fundraisers, starting on 27th August with one of our now famous cake sales at our Chingford office.
We were thrilled to raise £350 that day and were so grateful to everyone who popped along to sample our home made creations, as well as those who kindly donated online.
Wing Walk for Unique Charity
Fundraising probably doesn’t get more hair-raising than this… on 16th September, our Ellie Jackson and Chrissie Hale pushed themselves to new heights by taking on the monumental challenge of a wing walk.
Determined to raise funds to contribute to the vital work of Unique, the pair put their fears behind them as they took to the skies – on the WRONG side of the plane!
Ellie said: “We both felt it was an amazing experience! The pilot clearly wanted to let off steam, so maybe opting for “maximum thrill” wasn’t the right move – but it was great to be able to do something for a great cause as well as ticking something off the bucket list. I would definitely recommend it and hopefully I get to take to the skies again some time (albeit my family hope I will be inside the plane!).”
By braving it, Ellie and Chrissie raised a whopping £1500, and we’re all so proud of them both.
The Just Giving page is still open to donations, so if you’d like to contribute, it would be gratefully received:
Unique Charity Fundraiser Page
Lift Industry Charity Dinner
We had a fantastic evening at the Lift Industry Charity dinner & dance in October at the Delta Hotel in Waltham Abbey.
We thoroughly enjoyed mingling with lots of lovely people from the lift industry, and it was great to catch up with existing clients and meet a few new faces too.
The Lift Industry Charity aims to provide, often essential, initial financial support to the families of those working in the UK lift industry who are injured or lose their lives. The charity is funded purely through fundraising and has to date made donations in excess of £55,000 to families in need.
We had an amazing evening, definitely a night to remember, and the fact that the event raised a whopping £16,500 for such a worthwhile cause made it all the more worthwhile.
Staff News
2024 was a year of celebrations for Team RG, from new-borns and marriages to home moves and exam successes…
A second child for Laura Morrison
There was another round of joy for our Laura Morrison who welcomed her second child Jude into the world on 27th October, a playmate for son Ronan who celebrated his first birthday on 25th May.
Ellie’s hen do
You may recall that in 2023 our Ellie Jackson got engaged following a surprise proposal whilst on holiday in Seville. With her October wedding pending, there was nothing for it but for the Team RG ladies to get together and throw on a ‘work hen’ to remember.
Portugal was the destination, and it was definitely a memorable few days as you can see from the photos! For Ellie, the biggest highlight was taking to the stage with her golden girls Sue and Julie to belt out her favourite numbers.
Ellie’s wedding
Despite the goings on in Portugal, Ellie made it safe and sound to the altar on 18th October where she married Alex and became Mrs Evans.
Ellie said: “Alex and I had a brilliant day surrounded by our friends and family. It was also amazing to have my RG family in attendance to help us party the night away. I feel so lucky to have such great colleagues around me.”
Exam successes
Luke Weight has been making us all proud since he joined us in 2022 as an apprentice in our Lift Plan team. He’s since passed his CII Certificate in Insurance in 2023, and in 2024 completed his apprenticeship in Insurance Level 3. Well done Luke!
Congratulations also to Ellie who passed her Chartered Insurance Institute Insurance Law (M05) exam, adding to her knowledge and understanding of the laws which form the background to the operation of insurance. She’s now a step closer to completing her diploma, and we wish her every success as she moves towards that fantastic goal.
Warm welcomes
We were delighted to welcome three new team members in 2024:
Teresa Cronin joined us in July 2024 as an Account Executive in our ever-growing Lift Plan team. She brought with her a strong background in commercial and motor insurance, from a career spanning both Ireland and England. As well as her vast skills and knowledge, her ‘happy to help’ approach has made her a popular addition to the team.
William Sakyi became a member of Team RG in August, joining our Enterprise Team as Account Handler. His specialist background in high net worth property, family fleet, and art and jewellery insurance has placed him well to support our clients in protecting all they value. Plus his experience in sourcing cover for mini fleet and commercial vehicles, and travel and rented property, makes him the perfect go-to for our entrepreneur clients.
Annabel Carter became the latest member of Team Lift Plan in December, joining us backed by a decade of insurance industry experience. From underwriting and motor insurance, to customer care management and operations, Annabel has plenty to offer our Lift Plan clients, not least her friendly, bubbly and supportive personality.
Reflections on 2024 and a Vision for 2025 – thoughts from MD Carla Preston
As we head into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the milestones we achieved in 2024, and the exciting path ahead. Last year was one of transformation and opportunity, with the highlight being our decision to join the Jensten Group.
After more than 50 years as a family-run business, we knew it was essential to find a partner who truly valued our specialties, the expertise of our team, and the relationships we’ve built with our clients and partners.
At the same time, we wanted to ensure we could continue our momentum in growing the business while consistently delivering the high standards of service that define who we are.
“Enhancing our services, and seizing new opportunities”
Jensten has been the perfect fit, providing the support and resources we need to achieve these goals. This partnership has positioned us to not only enhance the services we offer, but also seize new opportunities that will benefit our team, our clients, and the wider Jensten Group.
Robert Gerrard Joins Jensten Group
Looking ahead to 2025, there is so much to celebrate. One of the key achievements this year has been the launch of our Lift Plan scheme into Ireland, an exciting step in expanding our footprint and delivering innovative insurance solutions to new markets.
We also begin the year by marking an incredible 20-year partnership with Chubb, one of our most trusted insurer partners. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to excellence.
As we move into 2025, our focus remains on driving growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring we continue to deliver the exceptional service our clients and partners expect.
With the backing of Jensten, the dedication of our talented team, and the trust of our clients, we are ready to embrace the opportunities that the future holds.
I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank our clients, partners, and staff for their unwavering support and commitment. I’m confident that together, we can make 2025 a year of even greater success and achievement.