CLIENTS of Pharon Insurance Group are set to benefit from its takeover by one of the country's 100 top brokers. Argyll Insurance Group, which operates throughout Sussex and the south east, has promised its acquisition of Pharon will mean more choice as well as access to more resources and information.

After almost 40 years in Herne Bay, Pharon has become known as a community spirited business - the company's Mini Moke car is used annually at the carnival and also bears Santa around town at Christmas. Founder Ron Woodward, who will continue to manage the 15-strong team based at the William Street office, feels the company is entering a promising new era for all involved.

He said: "It is an extremely exciting move for Pharon, its clients and staff. With the changing nature of the insurance market and less choice for policy holders, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the smaller broker to maintain a high quality personal service. This was one of the main attractions of us joining Argyll. Pharon's clients will benefit from the additional support that this new relationship will bring, while continuing to receive the personal service they have come to expect over the years."

Worthing-based Argyll is a UK top 100 Insurance Broker and was commended for its innovative approach at the 2001 British Insurance Awards. The group, which consists of Argyll Insurance Brokers, Argyll Public Sector Services and Argyll Financial Services, is the only broker based in Sussex to meet the high standards set by Lloyds of London to achieve new provisional Lloyds accreditation.