Meet FEO Key Partner - McClarrons

McClarrons Back FEO To Build Business, Talent and Legacy in Hull

McClarrons’ decision to become a Key Partner of For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO) is rooted in both clear commercial thinking and a genuine desire to support East Yorkshire’s business community. Sean McClarron describes the move as “a great opportunity to get to know people, learn and give something back,” reflecting a balance of business benefit and community purpose. For a long‑established independent insurance broker that has spent decades building relationships across Yorkshire, FEO offered exactly what McClarrons had been looking for in Hull - a serious, entrepreneur‑led network where experienced business owners “share what they’ve learned, not just swap business cards.”

Why FEO, and why Hull

After Sean joined FEO as an individual member, the team quickly saw that an office presence in Hull was essential. Hull is a proud, close‑knit city where, as he puts it, “people in Hull like to do business with people in Hull, and rightly so.” Therefore, having a local base - rather than just visiting from outside - became a strategic priority. The move to Key Partner status builds on existing relationships in the area and signals a long‑term commitment to working alongside local entrepreneurs and established businesses.

Sean was also struck by the quality and openness of the FEO community. He talks about “some very entrepreneurial people and forward-thinking businesses” who are willing to be honest about both success and setbacks so others can learn from them. That combination of high‑calibre peers, straight‑talking conversation and shared ambition made the investment in a Key Partnership feel like “the natural next step” for McClarrons in Hull.

A proudly independent, family‑led business

McClarrons has been trading for around 40 years, starting in Scarborough and expanding west to Malton and east into Hull, while remaining firmly independent. At a time when many traditional family brokers have sold to large consolidators, the McClarrons’ team is passionate about “bucking the trend” and keeping control of the firm’s culture, service standards and long‑term direction. Rather than selling up, he wants to leave a legacy for his team and the next generation of leaders.

That next generation is already in place. Sean’s two daughters now work in the business – one as an Account Executive in high‑net‑worth and private clients, the other as Executive PA to the Managing Director, having worked through several departments to understand the firm from the ground up. Managing Director, Garry Davies, joined straight from school and has grown with the company to take on his senior leadership role. Together, this trio sits at the heart of a clear succession plan focused on continuity, opportunity and stability for a team of around 100 people.

What McClarrons do best

McClarrons is a specialist commercial insurance broker with deep expertise in several key sectors, supported by its own in‑house claims team and the ability to underwrite on behalf of major insurers in certain niches. McClarrons’ core areas include:

• Farming, estates and rural businesses
  
• Care, social welfare and charities
  
• Equine and racing yards, and related equine businesses
  
• High‑net‑worth and heritage private clients, including fine homes, art and valuables
  
• Property owners and mixed commercial/residential portfolios
  

In several of these areas, McClarrons has developed its own policy wordings and holds delegated underwriting authority, meaning it can make underwriting decisions on behalf of insurers while closely managing service and cover. Dedicated sector teams focus solely on their niche, investing in training so clients receive advice from people who truly understand their world. Alongside the brokerage sits HB Underwriting, which designs niche insurance products and distributes them to a wide panel of brokers across the UK, providing them a strong technical edge and a broader view of the market.

Shared values with FEO

FEO’s mission is to enable entrepreneurs in Hull and East Yorkshire to start, adapt and grow their businesses, with members sharing real‑world experience to help others succeed. Garry is clear that this ethos of “entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs” resonates strongly with his own story, acknowledging that others gave him time, advice and support in his early years and says he now wants to “give back and pass that on". Furthermore, McClarrons’ role as an insurance broker is all about supporting and protecting businesses now and into the future, through their ongoing development, aligning very closely with FEO’s own mission.

Programmes such as FEO’s End Games have already helped Sean think through succession, ownership and how best to transition the business to the next generation over time. Meanwhile, colleagues such as Garry are engaging with other FEO initiatives designed to support leadership development and business growth. For McClarrons, the partnership is as much about learning and community as it is about profile.

Why this partnership matters

McClarrons’ Key Partner support helps FEO continue delivering high‑impact programmes that equip local business owners with the skills, confidence and peer support they need to grow. In return, McClarrons gains deeper roots in Hull, stronger connections with ambitious SMEs and a platform to showcase the value of a truly independent, service‑driven broker that is committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the region. As Garry sums it up, FEO offers “a great opportunity to increase the profile of his business, meet good people and help others at the same time” – a blend of commercial sense and community commitment that fits McClarrons perfectly.

Thinking about becoming a Key Partner?

If you believe that backing ambitious business owners is essential to strengthening the local economy, Key Partnership with FEO can be a powerful way to get involved. By supporting entrepreneurs across Hull and the East Riding – just as McClarrons has done – you help create jobs, drive innovation and keep opportunity rooted in the region.

Key Partners form a small, committed group of organisations that stand alongside FEO in this mission. They provide financial backing, share their expertise with members, attend and contribute to events, and act as advocates for FEO within their own networks.

To find out more, please visit our Key Partners page.

If you want to deepen your connections, support the next generation of business leaders and play an active role in Hull’s entrepreneurial story, partnering with FEO at Key Partner level is a meaningful place to start.