Meet The Team

Martin Ridewoodlinkedin1

Martin RidewoodMartin has been in insurance for over 28 years; from school he worked at Thames City. Starting as office junior he worked and studied his way to branch manager. From there he moved to Bennett’s Insurance and successfully set up a motorcycle insurance call centre.

Headhunted by A-Plan Insurance, Martin was the fastest ever promoted branch manager, obtaining that position within a month of joining the company; he then became area manager, overseeing branches throughout Oxfordshire.

Martin had always wanted to set up his own business and was frustrated by insurance brokers that didn’t spend the time getting to know their clients and who used technical jargon so customers didn’t really understand or know what they were buying.

By coincidence, the wife of his future business partner contacted him in her role as a recruitment consultant and introduced Martin to Mark, who now owns Premier Choice; at the time a business of over 40 mortgage brokers. With a reliable source of referrals to set up the business, Martin and Mark set up Platinum Choice insurance.

Seven years later Platinum Choice has gone from strength to strength with over 2000 clients. Martin’s forte remains commercial, business and unoccupied property insurance, where the challenges of his clients business are understood, investigated and insured against.
Contact Martin directly on 01865 290830 or email martinr@platinumchoiceinsurance.co.uk

Mark Geelinkedin1

Mark GeeWith over 30 years’ experience in the financial markets, Mark worked for many years at Legal and General in the corporate finance side, but went to Premier Financial Management and eventually bought the business just over 12 months ago.

Mark was actually a professional footballer for Oxford United until injury forced him to retire, and now he is manager of the very successful North Leigh Football Club.

Introduced to Martin by his wife Claire, the two recognised the synergy between Martin’s aspirations for his own brokerage and Mark’s existing mortgage broker firm, and the two became partners, launching Platinum Choice insurance.

Kevin Hayes

Kevin HayesKevin has been in insurance for over 30 years with managerial experience at Swinton Insurance and then Towergate.

Although his specialism is in personalised insurances such as home, contents and motor, he enjoys the commercial side of the business as it offers him greater opportunity to meet and really get to know his clients, delivering a truly bespoke service.

It was Platinum’s ethos of advice not the price that attracted Kevin to the role so he could focus 100% on the customer and giving the best advice, which is what the Platinum team strive to do daily

Nick Davies

NickNick joined the Platinum Choice Insurance team in March 2016 following a 28 year journey. It all started in 1988 when he left Oxford College of Further Education with A Levels in Economics, Politics and English.

From college Nick quickly established himself as an expert in the field of personal insurance, taking up a position as Insurance Consultant for A-Plan Insurance. From there Nick’s skills went from strength to strength incorporating staff management, training and recruitment when he became Branch Manager at Gregory & Damn Insurance Services.

Still climbing the ladder, Nick made a return to A-Plan Insurance, this time as an Insurance Executive, taking more responsibility for the growth of the company.

Nick was then introduced to Platinum Choice Insurance through a compelling advert that seemed to speak directly to his drive for the highest standards of customer care and service.

Favouring the motor and household insurances, Nick finds he enjoys the challenges of creating bespoke protection for his clients’ particular needs. He takes distinct pleasure from meeting with new clients and putting their minds at ease over their finances and risk.

Nick’s aspirations for the future include developing his well-established skills in the personal insurances into the commercial market. And using his analytical approach to business objectives to aid continued growth for Platinum Choice Insurance as part of a strong team.

Michael Ridewood

Michael RidewoodMichael is currently completing a level three NVQ in Business and Administration after successfully passing level 2 and is enjoying applying his academic skills in the business world on an apprenticeship scheme.

He helps with general office administration and client renewal paperwork, enjoying the interaction this gives him with clients. What he has finds most interesting in his role is the many facets of insurance and the groups of people who require them.

With a passion for cars and the motor world, Michael has a natural preference for learning more about specialist motor insurance but is currently focusing on completing level three of his NVQ.