Team praised as Otley firm celebrates 40th anniversary (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Team praised as Otley firm celebrates 40th anniversary
7:00am Wednesday 18th April 2012 in Local news By Jim Jack
John Glendinning at the bridge, which is dedicated to his late wife Joan
An insurance company set up by an Otley couple in the 1970s is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
John Glendinning founded JM Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Ltd with his wife, Joan, in 1972, and has overseen its growth into a major business with a 50-strong workforce and a £3m-plus annual income.
The couple began running the firm from their semi-detached home on The Gills, Otley, before moving to business premises in Otley, then Menston, and, in 2007, to their current base in Guiseley.
Writing in the foreword to a commemorative brochure that documents the company's history, Mr Glendinning said: “It all started from humble beginnings but, thanks to the hard work and dedication of a close-knit team, we are now providing a wide range of services for both commercial and private clients, nationally.
“Now 40 years on, I am proud to look back at the evolution of the company safe in the knowledge that it has grown into a solid and trustworthy organisation.
“Things have certainly changed and, since beginning in the bedroom of our first family home, the business now employs more than 50 people, has two offices, and has successfully expanded to meet the ever changing needs of our clients.
“It has been an eventful journey with no shortage of ups and downs, but we are delighted to have made 40 years and still stand for the principles that Joan and I believed in back in February, 1972, when we first set out.”
Now under the leadership of Mr Glendinning's eldest son, Paul, who became managing director in 2005, the company specialises in providing independent insurance, financial advice and risk consultancy services.
Plans are now afoot to both extend the firm’s Guiseley headquarters and open further offices – it already has a second office in Penistone, South Yorkshire.
Through holding its annual Charity Golf Day JM Glendinning Ltd has, with the support of its clients, raised £25,000 to date for cancer charities.
John set up the event after Joan, at the age of 58, died of throat cancer in 2006. A bridge to her memory has also been built at Otley Golf Club, where she was a member.
