Mark Cooper appointed with aims to double the size of business
Acres Insurance Brokers has appointed well respected commercial insurance senior leader Mark Cooper as its new managing director, as the business embarks on an ambitious growth plan that aims to see it double in size within five years.
A desire to grow and develop its traditional agricultural, rural and on-farm insurance services, while also delivering tailored support and products to commercial clients and non-farm businesses in related sectors, has been instrumental in Mr Cooper’s recruitment.
He now heads up the day-to-day operation with the senior leadership team, working closely alongside Acres founder and CEO Nigel Wellings, as the business follows its ambitious plans to be a disruptor in the market, providing a bespoke service not available amongst its competitors.
Mr Wellings, who will continue to manage his key accounts and develop new business, while overseeing the strategic planning behind the growth plans, says, “We welcome Mark’s appointment to lead our daily activities, while bringing the impetus and expertise to take us to the next level in our development.”
Mr Cooper, who took up the role in November 2024, arrives with a strong background and pedigree across the insurance industry.
Prior to taking up his new position, he spent five years in various senior leadership roles at insurance and risk management specialists Marsh Commercial, up until mid-2023, while also providing director level independent consultancy work, in the early part of last year.
Having taken the position of regional director at Marsh Commercial in 2018, Mr Cooper’s final role at the business was as CEO for the south of England and the whole of Wales, responsible for some 450 colleagues over more than 20 locations across the country.
“I am really excited to take on this opportunity with Acres, with the huge plans to not only grow the business in its key markets, but also expand out into related commercial spaces,” says Mr Cooper.
In terms of growth plans, Acres is looking to realistically double the size of the business within the next three to five years, through investment in the business and its people.
“These are ambitious growth plans, and I have been brought on board to provide the structure and leadership to achieve these and help drive that journey,” continues Mr Cooper.
“My vision generally is that, where we are already a quality broker for farm, we will grow that offering and become a bigger presence in that market, and become the ‘go-to’ broker for people looking for quality broking advice in that sector, as well as the related commercial space.
“We have some really good people on board already and we will be growing the business and bringing in additional quality people to help drive that expansion,” he says.
Mr Cooper says he felt Acres’ plans to be a market disruptor and to provide something new within the market is what attracted him to the role.
“I believe my role is to mould the business to where it needs to be, lending my expertise to get us to that next step,” he says.
Mr Cooper is married and lives in Oxfordshire with his wife. He will be predominantly based from Acres Insurance Brokers’ head office in Brigstock, Northamptonshire.
