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A chat with Michael Edwards of affinity broker MCE gave an opportunity to test a theory as to how the respective staff cultures are shaping up between longer established independent brokers - like MCE - who have moved lock, stock and barrel into the new era, compared with the evolving call centre environment, where recent movement of redundant staff reveals some distinct differences.
However, before posing that query, I learnt that MCE celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, having been established 1975 in Northampton. Like practically all provincial high street intermediaries at that time, it offered an 'all things to all men' service. You have to recall that this was not only 'BDL' - before Direct Line - it was also prior to the well known chain brokers breaking outside the environs of their own counties, and spreading their presence into most major towns and cities in the country.
In 2000, MCE sold its commercial portfolio to concentrate on core personal lines...