Perhaps the biggest issue facing brokerages in Ontario and indeed in Canada revolves around independence.

Simply put, independence means that more than 51% of the shares in a brokerage are owned and controlled by individual brokers. McFarlan Rowlands is 100% owned by brokers working in the brokerage. That means, there is no control or influence on any decisions made by McFarlan Rowlands other than our own considerations.

As owners, we believe that our staff and our clients are protected best and well served by this model. This allows us to place the business we write for our customers with the insurer that best suits their needs.

It also means that McFarlan Rowlands has no interference on any staffing decisions or marketing issues. We can truly provide market choice, professional advice and advocate for the best interests of our customers without outside influence.

Recently in Ontario it is unfortunate that a number of brokerages have chosen to sell the majority of their shares and hence control to insurance companies or their financial divisions.

It matters not how these deals are structured, majority share ownership means control and decision-making on all aspects of the brokerage ultimately rests with the majority owner.

It seems very clear and straightforward. The majority shareholder didn’t purchase these shares to allow the minority shareholders to run the ‘business as usual’.

McFarlan Rowlands started with the entrepreneurial and independent spirit of Bob McFarlan in Thamesford, Ken Martin in Dorchester and James Rowlands in Chatham. We are all here today because these three gentlemen believed in the independent brokerage model and planned their succession accordingly.

You can be assured that the present owners won’t forget where we came from, how we got here, and where we are going.