News

IN MEMORIAM: JOHN NIGEL COLLINSON

With a keen practical interest in agriculture through his family farming business, coupled with his academic achievement (attaining an Honours level BSc in Agricultural Economics), and strong loss adjusting skills, it is perhaps no surprise that Nigel Collinson became such an important part of the management team at Agrical. Having joined Phoenix Loss Adjusters as a shareholder in 1997, five years before it was to become Agrical following a 2002 merger with Morris Associates, Nigel’s drive and vision ensured that he wasted no time in putting in place ambitious targets for the future development of the company. It is testament to this ambition that before he passed away Nigel had played a key role in securing Agrical’s 2013 merger with McLarens, one of the world’s largest providers of specialist loss adjusting services.

Nigel’s marriage to Tracey in 2002 provided a renewed impetus to him to achieving his success in qualification to the status of Chartered Loss Adjuster.  From then on his influence on the success of the company continued to grow.  He had a huge insight into the farming industry and in particular the farm insurance market, subsequently developing very close working relationships with all of Agrical’s clients and becoming one of the most respected adjusters operating in the farm and estates sector.  Nigel set very high standards for the whole adjusting team and this, linked to his drive and enthusiasm, was instrumental in the significant growth that the company achieved, as well as the huge respect he was afforded by the Agrical team. Nigel was rightly proud of what he achieved, not least when Agrical was ranked Number 1 in the Major Loss category in Post magazine’s 2013 Loss Adjusters Insight report.

Nigel’s boundless energy was not just confined to the workplace. On occasions it dictated that he would be the last to bed at any social gathering, but this never prevented him from being up with the larks and completing a run of several miles, before greeting his colleagues as they made their way to breakfast!

This energy and enthusiasm was evident throughout Nigel’s life. He attended St Peter’s School, York, and achieved the honour of Head of School during his final year in 1986/87. Always a keen sportsman, Nigel played first team rugby for his school and university, and went on to represent Northern FC Rugby club for many years. More recently Nigel completed two full marathons, raising a significant amount of money for charity.

In the words of Mike Collins, Chief Executive Officer, and Ron Caley, Divisional Director, both of whom worked with Nigel for over 18 years: “Words cannot express the sorrow that we all share at this tragic loss. The contribution by Nigel to the development and success of Agrical has been enormous.  More importantly, Nigel has been an inspirational and close friend, whose influence in our lives will never be forgotten”.

Nigel leaves a wife, Tracey, and two children, Henry and Charlie.

IN MEMORIAM: JOHN NIGEL COLLINSON

​Please click the button below to download a copy of Nigel’s memoriam.

Download  >