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North of Scotland insurance firm undergoes significant transformation to keep community at its heart





The Inverness office. Picture: Callum Mackay.
The Inverness office. Picture: Callum Mackay.

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Earlier this year, an insurance firm in the north of Scotland underwent a significant transformation.

What was once known as Marsh Commercial is now Caledonia Dallas - a name that reflects its strong Scottish roots and new leadership. The transition marked more than just a name change, as it underscored the firm’s renewed commitment to providing exceptional service, particularly to the local communities it has long served.

"We’re still delivering the same first-class service," said Paul Chiffers, head of the Elgin and Inverness offices.

Paul Chiffers. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Paul Chiffers. Picture: Callum Mackay.

"It’s about maintaining that local focus and making sure our clients continue to receive the best care and advice that meets their unique needs."

The shift came after the firm decided it wasn’t entirely aligned with the corporate direction of Marsh, a global insurance giant.

Paul explained that decisions being made at the top of the organisation were not always well-suited to the specific needs of local clients in Scotland.

He said: "We weren’t loving the direction of travel, with decisions being made that had a real impact on our team and clients. We wanted to have more of a committed local focus and independence to do what we do best, so a move to become part of the TL Dallas Group felt like the right one for us.”

The Elgin team. Picture: Beth Taylor
The Elgin team. Picture: Beth Taylor

TL Dallas is a fourth-generation family firm, owned by its management and staff and it has been in business for more than 100 years. It is one of the largest, and last remaining truly independent, insurance broking firms in the UK and has offices spanning the UK from Shetland to London.

The firm was founded by Thomas Lessels Dallas, whose great-grandchildren now run the company. By aligning with TL Dallas, the newly branded Caledonia Dallas has reclaimed its independence, offering more localised decision-making while benefiting from the strong support and backing of a larger, experienced organisation.

One of the key advantages of this new direction is the increased level of autonomy for the Caledonia Dallas team.

Inside the Inverness office. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Inside the Inverness office. Picture: Callum Mackay.

"More decision-making is being done locally now, and we’re left to run the business ourselves rather than being dictated to by a large corporation", noted Paul.

"This allows us to be more responsive to the local geography and the specific needs of our clients."

With this newfound freedom, the company has been able to expand its service offerings and forge stronger relationships with insurers.

"We’ve now got more insurers to deal with, so there’s more flexibility and freedom for our clients," he explained.

"We can offer solutions that better fit the needs of the people and businesses we serve."

The firm is focused on both commercial insurance and personal insurance, with specialised expertise in a range of services. From protecting businesses to safeguarding individuals' homes and vehicles, Caledonia Dallas ensures that its clients’ best interests are at the heart of its operations.

The Inverness team. Picture: Callum Mackay.
The Inverness team. Picture: Callum Mackay.

The company has also retained its experienced staff across its three offices in Inverness, Elgin, and Orkney (where the business is now known as Nord Dallas).

"Between the three offices, we have about 50 staff. It’s the same team that transferred over, so we have taken all of the valuable experience and relationships we’ve built over the years with us," Paul said.

More than just an insurance provider, Caledonia Dallas is deeply committed to its local community. From sponsoring sporting events to getting involved in charitable causes, the firm is making its presence felt across the North of Scotland.

"We’re getting our name out there," said Paul.

Sandy Anderson. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Sandy Anderson. Picture: Callum Mackay.

"We are supporting and have put signage up at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Highland Rugby Club, Wick Academy FC, and Elgin City FC."

This visibility extends to broader sponsorship efforts, including a recent Tartan Tour pro-am golf tournament at Spey Valley. Supporting local sports teams reinforces the company’s dedication to the region.

Beyond sports, Caledonia Dallas is actively involved in various community organisations and events, such as the Mikeysline Annual Golf Day/Dinner, the Highland Hospice Sunflower Ball and the Caithness Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. These efforts demonstrate the firm’s ongoing commitment to contributing to the social and economic well-being of the area.

Although Caledonia Dallas may be operating under a new name, it remains an established business with a rich history.

"While we’re a new business in name, we’re also an established one," Paul emphasised.

"We’ve got 50 staff with years of experience, and by joining an independent brokerage with over 100 years of trading behind it, we’re enhancing our existing services."

Chris Smith. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Chris Smith. Picture: Callum Mackay.

Looking ahead, Caledonia Dallas is focused on expanding its reach across the North of Scotland while continuing to offer a personalised service.

"Our team travel all over the North of Scotland, making sure that our clients are looked after," said Paul.

Ultimately, the transition from Marsh Commercial to Caledonia Dallas has been a positive one, allowing the firm to operate with more flexibility, independence, and a stronger local focus.

By embracing its heritage while adapting to modern needs, Caledonia Dallas is well-positioned to continue providing top-tier insurance services to the people of the North of Scotland for many years to come.

Inverness - Call 01463 233105

Elgin - Call 01343 547761

or Email: info@caledoniadallas.com


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