About Us
HMS Insurance & Financial Services Inc.
HMS Insurance & Financial Services Inc. isn’t really a single traditional brokerage that simply grew larger, it is better described as three long-established, independently operated insurance businesses working together under one umbrella.
The three businesses are MacLachlan Insurance Inc., Woods Hodgins Insurance Brokers Inc., and Giffen, Pierce & Sinclair Insurance Brokers Ltd. Each has its own history, ownership and local identity. The first initials of each brokerage making up the HMS naming cluster.
The idea behind HMS is essentially “three small brokerages, one bigger toolbox.” The businesses retain their local relationships and independent character, while combining resources, insurer relationships, technology and expertise. HMS itself is privately owned and not controlled by an insurance company or financial institution.
That structure gives HMS a pretty compelling story: you get the personal service and accountability of a small, local brokerage, with some of the resources and buying power normally associated with a much larger organization. In other words, HMS hasn't forgotten what made the original businesses successful, it has simply found a way for three independent brokerages to work together rather than trying to become one giant corporate brokerage.
Corporate structure
Woods Hodgins Insurance Brokers Inc.
Woods Hodgins Insurance began operations in 1960 when Clark Hodgins purchased an existing insurance brokerage in Arkona Ontario. Clark moved the brokerage to Ailsa Craig Ontario in 1972 where it remains today. Kevin Hodgins joined the Woods Hodgins brokerage in 1984 to continue the family business and has since been joined by his sons Geoff Hodgins in 2012, Paul Hodgins in 2016, and finally Brad Hodgins. Getting to know our customers may be a small town attribute, but our business is built around it. It has been the key to our success and we apply it to all of our customers around Southwestern Ontario.
MacLachlan Insurance Inc.
MacLachlan Insurance was started in the Village of Thedford by Howard MacLachlan in 1931. Howard sold for Pilot insurance Company, which is known as Aviva Insurance today. The business was sold, but continued to operate in the Thedford area. In 1962, Howard’s son, Harold MacLachlan, purchased the business back, based on a belief that the business would continue to grow by listening to the needs of his customers and providing excellent service.
In 1977 Harold’s son, Dan MacLachlan, joined the family business. In 1983, Dan’s wife, Kim joined the business and the William J Amos Insurance brokerage of Parkhill was purchased, expanding the business and area that MacLachlan Insurance serviced. Bill Heaman joined the firm as a partner in 1987 and managed the Parkhill office for 11 years. Bill retired in 1998 and D’Arcy Elliott joined the firm to manage the Parkhill office.
In 1998, the Grand Bend office of MacLachlan Insurance was opened. Over the years, the business has continued to expand and change with the evolving insurance needs of their customers. Additional insurance companies have been added to the brokerage, to provide a wide range of service and products.
In 2017 Kim & Dan retired, selling the business to D’Arcy Elliott (employee of +20 years) and their son Brent MacLachlan, and daughter Laura MacLachlan.
Giffen, Pierce & Sinclair Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Murray Sinclair and Bruce Pierce started their business in January 1974 in London as Pierce Sinclair Insurance. In January 1977, they purchased Gordon Giffen Insurance in Strathroy. The name was changed to Giffen, Pierce & Sinclair Insurance Brokers Limited. Bruce retired in 1980 and Murray continued to operate both brokerages until 1985 when he sold the London operation to concentrate full time in Strathroy.
Kathryn Veltman joined the firm in 1993. In May 2019, Kathryn purchased the brokerage from Murray, who will continue on as the deputy principal broker of the firm.
We enjoy our business and providing excellent and friendly service to all of our clients and love the small town atmosphere of Strathroy and area.
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