E G Murray, one of Scotland’s longest established independent insurance broker, is celebrating its 50th anniversary as the family-run business begins a new chapter with Momentum Broker Solutions.

Gerry and Antony Murray recently sat down with Dan Judson (our Content Creator) as part of the Momentum Meets podcast series to reflect on 50 years of E G Murray, the evolution of the family business and what comes next.

Edward Gerald (Gerry) Murray founded the Airdrie-based brokerage in 1976 after returning from a two-year placement in Toronto with Commercial Union.

The move to Canada had been part of an international training programme, which Gerry expected would lead to further opportunities overseas. However, the programme was discontinued while he was abroad.

“I thought I was going to travel the world with Commercial Union, but nobody told those of us abroad that they had scrapped the programme. When I came back, the salary was terrible. I couldn’t afford to go to the pub for a pint.”

Faced with the choice of returning to Canada or creating an opportunity of his own, Gerry established E G Murray.

“I gave Angela, my wife, an ultimatum. I either started on my own or we went back to Canada. That was how it began.”

Gerry began his career as a composite inspector with Commercial Union, working across general insurance, life and pensions. His experience in Scotland and Canada shaped his ambition to offer small businesses a broad, personal service through one point of contact. He was also determined to work directly with the people making underwriting decisions.

“When I started, I didn’t want to deal with an underwriter I couldn’t see face to face. Airdrie was between Edinburgh and Glasgow, so it was easy to go in, discuss a case and build a relationship.”

Gerry also credits the support of his bank manager with easing the financial pressure during the company’s early years.

“A bank manager was a bank manager then. He knew the local people, made enquiries about you and gave you confidence. That took the financial worry away.”

E G Murray grew by offering clients consistency at a time when many businesses dealt directly with insurers and regularly saw their account representatives change.

“I could say to them, instead of getting to know a different inspector every couple of years, you’ve got me. You know who to speak to, and you can sack me if I am not doing my job.”

Some of those client relationships have now lasted for almost the entire history of the company.

“In my day, a small businessman had an accountant, a lawyer and an insurance broker, and it stayed that way. I have had clients for almost 50 years.”

Gerry’s son, Antony Murray, joined E G Murray 21 years ago after completing a business degree and working for RBS.

“I worked for a big corporate for a short time and didn’t enjoy it. Once I joined the family business, I became clear quite quickly that it was what I wanted to do.”

Although succession was not mapped out from the beginning, Antony was given the freedom to develop his own approach to running the company.

“My dad has been very good over the years at letting me do things the way I wanted to do them. It has been a long process to finalise the handover, but in practical terms it happened gradually.”

Antony has also seen the demands on independent brokers grow, with business owners increasingly required to balance client service with compliance, accounts, marketing and administration.

“As a small independent broker, you’re having to do everything, from compliance and accounts to marketing. At the same time, you still need to get out, see clients and do the job they value.”

By leaving the Directly Authorised model and joining Momentum Broker Solutions’ Appointed Representative network, E G Murray will receive support across compliance, administration, accounts and business development while continuing to trade under its established name.

For Antony, the move is about creating more time for clients.

“Joining Momentum takes a lot of the pressure off being a small broker. It gives us support and allows us to focus on what the client values, getting out to see them and doing a good broking job.”

As E G Murray enters its second half-century, Antony is focused on preserving the firm’s identity while creating a sustainable platform for future growth.

“We are in a fortunate position because the majority of our clients still see us as a trusted adviser. Momentum gives us the support to keep those relationships close and continue moving the business forward.”