25 Not Out!

I love my cricket – I love watching it, I love playing it.

25 is a score I often dream about. It shouldn’t be that difficult to get to, should it?

Well, finally I have made it…. or should I say JW Seagon has.

In April this year JW Seagon reached the milestone, and what a journey it has been. Up’s, down’s, laughter, sweat and tears. Good deals, bad deals (don’t mention the diamonds!), it has been a journey I would never change.

April 1993 (JWS established)

No wi-fi, no internet, no mobiles
Calls overseas had to be made through the Operator
No Bovril on the shelves
No big malls
The Pound was at 36 to the Shilling
Brookside Dairies was founded
The KRA did not exist!
Delamere Bar, Carnivore and Mischiefs were the preferred drinking holes
Bupa Gold for an adult on a group only cost £650.00
Karen to Muthaiga 20 minutes

Fast forward to April 2018.

KRA very much exists
Internet, wi fi and communications are first world
Traffic is a nightmare
Karen to Muthaiga 60 minutes (at least)
Malls everywhere
People everywhere
The pound is at 135
Bupa Gold on a group can cost anything from £10,000 depending on age

….but we are all still here, and Kenya still remains one of the best places to live and work, despite all its frustrations.

All good innings are built around solid foundations. JWS is no different. The foundations that were there at the beginning still remain.

We go from strength to strength, expanding our product offerings, and where we operate. Looking to improve our service wherever possible, and looking for solutions that better meet the needs of our diverse client base. We don’t win them all. We don’t please everyone. It is only natural to expect somewhere along the line that a disagreement may arise. We have to rely on our mission statement being “Caring for You.” We will always strive to do what is best for the client, but as independent brokers, also representing the insurers, we must also ensure we have insurers best interests at heart. We rely on our knowledge and understanding of the products we sell, and the experience we have gained over 25 years to offer unbiased, fair advice.

In the early days JW Seagon only marketed life and medical. Today we truly are a One Stop Shop. We have the widest agency network of International medical providers, offering options from 8 insurers. We have a well-developed General Insurance team offering the widest range of bespoke, original and comprehensive packaged policies in the market today. We have developed packages for Horticulture, Schools, Tourism, Aviation, Travel, Commercial Combined, Motor and Household.

However, none of this would have been possible without our wonderful clients, some of whom have been with us from the very beginning of our journey. I am truly grateful for the trust you show in the JW Seagon team, for the loyalty you have displayed over the years. Without you, the first 25 years would not have been possible. We have all made some good friendships along the way. We hope it is safe to say that there are a lot more happier clients, than disgruntled ones. We will continue to look at ways of improving what we offer, and if anyone has any tips, we are always all ears.

As well as the clients, I must also say a big thank you to the staff. Some have been with us for very nearly the whole 25 years (Kanak, Rose). The dedication and commitment staff show to ensure clients are treated as well as possible makes me very proud, and I thank everyone, past and present, who has helped JWS along its journey.

Two people who deserve special mention, one of whom is very sadly no longer here today. A lady who instilled in me, and the company, the good qualities I hope we all have – caring, understanding, compassion, generosity, honesty, commitment, and humour. My mum, Diana, who was always there ensuring we did the right thing, putting us right if we strayed off course. Her values live on. The second of course is mzee; the man who started it all, and is still working today after very nearly 65 years in insurance. A man who instilled other qualities in all of us – hard work, integrity, kindness, loyalty. Thank you very much for everything. You have been inspirations.

I hope this innings can continue, and you will all be part of it, for the next 25 years.

Thanks for all your support.
David