Blackford

Blackford is a Scottish-based insurance brokerage firm that provides customized risk mitigation and insurance solutions for both commercial and private clients across the UK. The firm was established in April 2019 by Tom Aldridge, an insurance industry veteran with two decades of experience. Aldridge's career includes launching the Glasgow office for Central Insurance, which was later sold to Marsh, and holding positions at Aon and TL Dallas. He founded Blackford to counter the trend of consolidation in the Scottish insurance market, aiming to create a brokerage focused on long-term client relationships and a service-led approach rather than shareholder returns.

The company operates on a business model centered around providing bespoke advisory services. Instead of offering off-the-shelf products, Blackford's brokers work to understand the specific risks faced by each client—whether a business or an individual—to design and place tailored insurance policies. The firm serves clients with complex risk profiles who prioritize quality of service and comprehensive coverage. Its revenue is generated through the placement of insurance premiums for its clients, which was projected to exceed £10 million in 2024. Shortly after its founding, Blackford made a significant strategic move by acquiring the Edinburgh customer book of TL Dallas, which included approximately 100 clients and a portfolio valued at over £3 million in gross written premium. This acquisition immediately established its presence in Edinburgh. The company has since expanded, with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and London.

Blackford provides a range of services covering business insurance, private client needs, advisory, and claims management. For businesses, it addresses risks such as professional and cyber liability, property damage, and other commercial exposures. The firm prides itself on not adopting a 'carpet bomb' approach, ensuring clients only pay for necessary coverage. In early 2025, Blackford was acquired by Partners&, an English insurance advisory business. The deal integrated Blackford's 20-person team into Partners&, with Tom Aldridge becoming Managing Partner for Client Management in the North. The move was described as a strong geographical fit, combining Blackford's presence in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen with Partners&'s existing Scottish operations. Keywords: commercial insurance broker, private client insurance, risk management services, insurance advisory, business risk mitigation, bespoke insurance policies, corporate insurance, high-net-worth insurance, Scottish insurance market, claims management, professional liability insurance, cyber risk insurance, property insurance, Tom Aldridge, Partners& acquisition, insurance consolidation, client-focused broker, UK insurance services, Edinburgh insurance, Glasgow insurance broker