This week, we’re celebrating Caledonia Dallas! With roots stretching back to 1998 and a proud history of serving the Highlands and Moray, this insurance broker is redefining what exceptional client service looks like. Read more in this weeks’ Member of the Week blog.
Caledonia Dallas is a well-established insurance broker with deep roots in the Highlands and Moray. Operating from two offices in Inverness and Elgin, the business is led by Paul Chiffers, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of broking experience. With a reputation built on trust, expertise, and a commitment to excellence, Caledonia Dallas offers a comprehensive range of commercial and personal insurance solutions tailored to meet the needs of businesses and individuals across the North of Scotland.
On 5th August 2025, Caledonia Dallas proudly celebrated its first year in business following its acquisition by TL Dallas, a family and employee-owned independent insurance broker, in 2024.
The Inverness office, which has been a cornerstone of the local insurance industry since 1998, was first established as Clark Thomson Insurance Brokers. Over the years, it expanded both organically and through strategic acquisition of respected local firms, including Gillies & Campbell, Anderson & Jarvie, WJ Fraser & Co, and Geddes & Associates. Following its acquisition by Jelf, which later became part of Marsh Commercial in 2018, the business continued to grow and serve a broad client base across various industries.
The Elgin office has a similarly rich history. Clark Thomson strengthened its presence in Moray through the acquisition of Crammond Insurance Consultants in Keith and George S Hay & Co in Elgin during the late 2000s. These offices merged into a single Elgin base around 2011, consolidating expertise and resources to better serve clients in the region.
The transition to Caledonia Dallas has reinforced the company’s commitment to providing top-tier insurance solutions tailored to the unique risks and challenges faced by businesses and individuals across the Highlands and Islands, reaffirming its strong Scottish roots. In its first year, the firm has welcomed seven new recruits, building on an existing team of 40 employees.
Meet Sarah Mackay
I am a Development Executive at Caledonia Dallas and have been in this role since May 2020. My responsibilities include growing our portfolio of clients through relationship building, identifying and approaching potential businesses or individuals who could benefit from our insurance products, and nurturing existing client relationships.
We are very proud of our in-house claims team which is bucking the trend seen across the rest of the insurance broking industry. Whilst many of our competitors have either outsourced or centralised their claims, often leaving clients to fend for themselves at their time of need, we have gone the other way and invested in our local claims team (who are based physically in our Inverness & Elgin offices). So, our clients will have a dedicated claims handler to assist throughout the process from first notification through to settlement.
Our plans for the next 12 months are simple – to continue to look after our existing clients and hopefully attract some new clients with our exceptional service.
The insurance industry is currently in a soft market, where premiums are lower, coverage terms are more generous, and there is competition between insurers. This environment can benefit clients from a cost perspective. We have been focused on adding value beyond price. We take the time to fully understand our clients’ operations and risks so we can offer tailored insurance solutions that provide the right protection, not just the lowest cost. We have strong relationships with insurer partners to secure competitive terms without compromising on cover, and we maintain regular, proactive communication with clients to highlight emerging risks and opportunities.
By combining market insight, strong negotiation skills, and exceptional service, we have successfully retained clients and expanded our portfolio. Our greatest endorsement comes from our high client retention rate and the steady stream of word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients who recommend our services to their family, friends, colleagues, and associates. There is no greater compliment than that!
Being featured as Member of the Week provides a valuable opportunity to share more about our business, the services we offer, and our support for the local community.
The Chamber network has been instrumental in helping us build strong connections, and this feature allows us to highlight how those relationships have contributed to our growth and how we, in turn, give back.
We value our Chamber membership for its strong sense of community and the opportunity to connect with like-minded business professionals. The Chamber offers a platform for collaboration, learning, and growth, helping us stay informed and engaged within the local business landscape.
Being part of this network supports our business development while allowing us to give back by supporting fellow members and the wider community.
Through the Chamber’s networking events, we’ve built valuable connections with local businesses and professionals, leading to meaningful conversations and potential collaborations. These introductions have helped us explore new opportunities and strengthen our ties within the local business community.
To make the most of Chamber membership, we recommend actively attending events, engaging with other members, and making use of the Chamber’s resources and training opportunities. Promoting your business through Chamber platforms, staying up to date with their news, and getting involved in initiatives can all help build partnerships and create new opportunities.