The Hallsdale Insurance Brokers Team

Tom Hall BA (Hons) ACII
Director

Tom has been in insurance man and boy originally working for an insurance company in the Sheffield, Liverpool and Manchester markets (not at the same time!)

After ending up as their Northampton Manager, Tom decided to become an insurance broker in 1991 in order to broaden his experience and make some friends. He has considerable in depth technical insurance knowledge and a keen interest in maintaining the independence of the insurance broking profession. Tom has been a Director of Bernard A Potter (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, a Commercial Account Manager for Country Mutual Insurance Brokers Ltd and Sales Manager for Towergate Risk Solutions. He is a Past President of the Northamptonshire Insurance Institute, a Chartered Insurance Broker and holds a First Class Honours Degree in Insurance Management.

A fluent German speaker, Tom spent many years as a ski instructor and still enjoys a slide on the planks. He continues to play football twice a week as well as being Past Captain of his Golf Club and has made the odd friend along the way.

Tom is married with two children.

Simon Drysdale
Director

Simon joined the TSB Bank as a trainee manager and worked in several branches throughout southeast England and South London.  

In 1988, fed up of being institutionalised, Simon joined Keith R Drysdale Limited insurance brokers, based in Beaconsfield, becoming Company Secretary. The Company was eventually acquired by NFU Mutual and Simon took on the role of Broker Manager at the Country Mutual office in Corby. After its merger with their Northampton Office Simon became Kettering Manager of the newly combined office. After the acquisition of Country Mutual by Towergate Risk Solutions in 2006, Simon became Managing Director.

Not wishing to become institutionalised again, Simon left to form Hallsdale Insurance Brokers Ltd with Tom Hall and Andy Wright in September 2007.

Simon has always been a keen footballer and currently coaches the under 11’s in Medbourne Leicestershire with both his sons playing for the Club. He has also served as the Chairperson of Drayton Parish meeting.

As a keen petrol head, Simon makes an annual pilgrimage with friends to Le Mans. His wife still does not understand why, if the race is only 24 hours long, why he has to go away for a week!!!!

Andrew Wright
Associate Director

Andrew started his career with Royal Insurance gaining experience in Norwich, Kings Lynn, Spalding and Derby as a marketing and sales representative. In 1981, he joined another insurer as Marketing Manager working in London and Milton Keynes where he developed his sense of humour (as a Canaries fan, he needed to!). In 1984 he joined Gardner and Co (Insurance Brokers) Ltd becoming a Director prior to the sale of the business to Country Mutual Insurance Brokers Ltd where he continued as Branch Manager in York Road, Northampton. After its merger with Corby office, Andrew moved to Kettering. Together with his colleagues he left Towergate in August 2007 wishing a return to traditional independent insurance broking and regain his sense of humour, becoming part of Hallsdale Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Andrew is a family man who moved to Northamptonshire over 25 years ago and now lives in the centre of Kettering. His interests include motor racing, golf and travel, especially to his holiday home in France. He has two sons and three granddaughters all living in the Kettering area.

Pat McGuckin
Associate Director

Pat has been a Broker in the County for over 30 years. Originally from the North West he held various positions with an Insurance Company in Lancaster, Preston and ultimately Northampton.

In 1972 he was invited to join the well established local insurance brokers, Bernard A Potter Ltd working from both Rushden & Corby. Initially appointed as Director in 1975 he rose to the position of Joint Managing Director in the 90s. Following the agreed sale of the business in 2000 he continued as a Commercial Account Executive for the new owners Country Mutual and more recently for Towergate Risk Solutions who had acquired ownership in June 2006.

After a short break from the Industry he is now pleased to rejoin former colleagues
in an exciting new venture.

Pat is married with two grown up sons and three lovely grandchildren. Leisure time is taken up with golf (which has not improved despite the practice), walking, travel and being “Grandad”.