Management Team
Meet the Borland team
If there’s one common aim of the Borland team has in common it’s an ongoing commitment to developing lasting relationships with each client and to work in partnership with you to secure the best insurance solution to your business or individual needs.
The business was started by its two Directors, Ross Smith and John Silcock in July 2006.
Ross Smith, Director
Ross studied Accountancy at University but chose a more customer focused role and joined a small Insurance brokerage start up business in 1992 where he latterly held the role of Commercial Account Executive and Independent Financial Advisor and Director of the financial services side of the business.
Ross joined Combined Insurance, a division of Aon in 1999 to further his career and experience with a national broker. Ross was appointed to Sales Director in July 2003 covering Scotland and North of England.
In March 2005 Ross fulfilled his dream of running his own business by jointly purchasing Borland Financial Services Ltd with his Co-Director, John Silcock. The business has enjoyed significant growth since then and now has two trading entities – Borland Financial Services Ltd t/a Borland Insurance for General Insurance and Borland Financial Management Ltd for Independent Financial Advice
Ross truly believes in "old fashioned customer service" and a positive customer experience is the key to the continued success and growth of the business. He knows that in a very competitive market the business must continue to differentiate itself from competitors by maintaining an exceptional "customer experience". Ross believes the business will continue to grow by employing the best staff delivering "market leading products" and "intelligent working practices".
His career objectives are very clear, he wants Borland to go from strength to strength and become the independent Insurance Broker and IFA of choice for SME's and private clients in Scotland.
Ross is married with three children and most of his spare time is spent with his family in rural Perthshire. He is sport mad and was a very keen rugby player in his younger years but a serious injury cut short his playing days. His main recreation is now golf where playing at Kinross and The Fairmont, St Andrews where he tries to improve his handicap of 12.
John Silcock, Director
Having graduated from The University of Stirling in 1995 (Political Science), John joined US global Insurer The Chubb Corporation on their graduate trainee programme.
Having worked for Chubb throughout the whole of the UK in a variety of management positions, latterly as Strategic Marketing and Sales Manager for their London and Lloyd's operation, John left the organisation over a decade later to co-found Borland with Ross.
John is a firm believer that 'All Insurance Is Not the same' as there is a common miss-perception that the only difference in an insurance policy is the price. Whilst price is an important component in the provision of an insurance programme, unfortunately it is at the time of a claim when an insurance policy's deficiencies are found out. Hence the following three areas all need to be affirmed to ensure that Borland's clients are the recipients of the most appropriate insurance programme in relation to their needs:
- Insurer Financial Strength / Claims Paying Ability
- Policy Coverage / Providing the Correct Client Protection
- Claims Service / Payment of Claims in a Prompt and Fair Manner
Married with two young children, John is an avid rugby fan and golf enthusiast - playing out of The Fairmont, St Andrews.
John also serves as a Non-Executive Director of The Fife Chamber of Commerce.
Andy Kerr, Operations Manager
Andy looks after the day to day running of the business helping ensure clients receive a first class service from Borland Insurance.
He holds the Financial Planning Certificate and has amassed a wealth of experience in the industry having worked in the Financial Services and Insurance sectors since 1989.
His career started in the Life Assurance Servicing department at Scottish Widows in Edinburgh before going on to work in various roles at the Bank of Scotland Insurance Services and General Accident (now Aviva).
In October 2000, Andy left Aviva to join a new Edinburgh based IFA practice, Albannach Financial Management. The business quickly grew to almost 50 staff over 4 offices with Andy's input as Operations Manager being a key component of the success of the company.
The company was sold to the Towergate group in 2008 and in February 2009 Andy opted to leave to take up a similar position at Borland with a remit to develop and establish the business as one of Scotland's leading independent brokerages. His philosophy in business is simple "Take special care of your clients and your employees".
Andy lives in South Queensferry with his wife and family and enjoys watching sport and walking his dogs.
Each of our talented team benefits from a regular programme of training and development and are encouraged to progress through the industry’s professional qualifications.
Ian Borland, Non Executive Director
On leaving school in Edinburgh in 1965 Ian joined a Personal Lines Broker in central Edinburgh. Recognising that he had more interest in the Commercial sector of insurance he gained employment in 1969 with a long established Leith based Broker who gave him the training and experience he desired. Following a takeover in 1971 by a national Broker and not seeing a clear career path ahead he had the opportunity to move to London or Dunfermline having been 'head hunted' by Brokers in City and Town. He joined a local Broker in Dunfermline as Manager who also had offices in Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy. Appointed Area Manager in 1974 and Director in 1980.
Following retirement of the Managing Director and sale of the business to a Leeds based Broker in 1989 Ian was appointed Managing Director for Scotland. He relocated the office within Dunfermline to create a 21st century environment to cater for an ever expanding staff and future expansion.
In early 1992 there was a six month departure from insurance to try pastures new but Ian returned to set up his own Insurance Brokerage in August of that year. He sold the company after a successful 10 year growth in 2002 continuing to look after his clients until his departure in 2005.
After a short retirement he joined the now newly established Borland Insurance to run a couple of projects in 2009 and was appointed a Non Executive Director in March 2011 giving his forty plus years experience to the younger team.
His hobbies include sailing, curling, bowling, caravanning, gardening, walking, golf, travel and art.
Kevin Ross, Head of Private Clients
‘Kevin obtained his degree in Public Policy & Management in Aberdeen in 1999 and started his career path in the removal industry. In 2001 Kevin decided to enter the finance sector and a job at Blackhorse finance allowed him to return to his home town of Dunfermline.
In 2002 Kevin joined newly formed bank Intelligent Finance to work in the mortgage department processing new business. Whilst working there Kevin completed all his mortgage exams and went on to work in HBOS, Intelligent Finances’ sister company, as a fully qualified mortgage adviser covering the east of Fife. It was whilst in this position that Kevin was approached by AXA insurance to work within their Corporate Partnerships division managing the day to day running of key accounts who acted as the distributor for the insurer. Kevin worked five years at AXA managing some major organisations accounts, such as Nationwide Building Society, Barclaycard, Standard Life and Dunfermline Building Society.
Kevin was then approached to join Chubb Insurance to head up their Scottish Private client business. It was in this role that he very quickly gained a desire to work as a broker, passing on his expertise and passion for ensuring that people were fully protected with the right policy as opposed to purely the cheapest option. Kevin approached Borland Insurance, who shared his passion for providing a fantastic service and in October 2011 Kevin joined to head up a Private Client department.
Kevin is married with two children and despite his varied career path has managed to continue to reside in his home town of Dunfermline. Kevin is a keen sportsman and whilst he no longer plays rugby or football manages to still compete in golf, curling and cricket. In addition Kevin is an avid supporter of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club and enjoys the trials and tribulations that this brings with his two boys.’