Many were shocked and saddened this week to learn that Sandy Dunn, one of the most well-known and respected figures in the insurance industry had passed away suddenly, after a brief illness.
Sandy started his insurance career with Eagle Star in his native Scotland moving his young family around the country wherever the job took him. Always interested in innovation, Sandy set up one of the UK’s first direct players disrupting the traditional broker space; Eagle Star Direct, over thirty years ago and settled for good in Southampton. He then launched Gan Minster’s direct arm, Touchline in rival city Portsmouth.
Ever the entrepreneur in 1998, Sandy along with two colleagues, left the security of the corporate world and acquired R A Rossborough, a Jersey-based insurance broker operating out of the UK. This was renamed BDML Connect and Sandy took the helm as Managing Director.
The BDML Group also consisted of Sabre Insurance, acquired from Aviva in 2002, and Ultimate Insurance Solutions. In 2005 the BDML Group successfully sold its broking business, BDML Connect, to Capita Insurance Services Group. Sandy Dunn remained with the company as its Chairman and Chief Executive until 2010.
Many would then have enjoyed an early retirement but Sandy relished helping others succeed. He held board positions at Markerstudy, IGO4, Swinton, Call Connection and Supercover. He loved to take a risk, he was again at the front line of innovation as a founder of the UK’s first telematics motor broker and data management business, Wunelli, in 2008 which successfully sold in 2014 to LexisNexis Risk Solutions, the data, analytics and technology provider to the insurance market.
Penny Searles, his long-term colleague and friend said “I have known Sandy for over twenty years and both Paul Stacy and I had the most amazing experience working with him building and growing Wunelli. His continued daily guidance after that sale has massively contributed to all that has followed for me since. Sandy was just so generous with his time and knowledge he was always prepared to listen and I saw him offer encouragement, advice and support to countless people over the years. He was professional and honourable and I am utterly heartbroken that he is no longer with us. We also had huge fun together, he made work interesting and exciting and I will miss him.”
A true gentlemen, pioneer and legend are just a few of the comments made by numerous other colleagues from the past and present on his passing this week.
Any friends or colleagues that wish to attend the funeral can contact Penny for details via Linked In.