Selling is only the tip of the iceberg – from your suppliers to your website and marketing, there’s a lot to take care of. Normally things run smoothly, but it doesn’t mean mistakes won’t happen, whether they’re yours or someone else’s. Even if an employee or supplier is to blame, you could be held liable.
From stock damage to supply chain problems, it is vital that insurances you purchase respond as you expect when you need them, enabling you to keep doing what you do best. Selling and looking after your customers.
Selling is only the tip of the iceberg – from your suppliers to your website and marketing, there’s a lot to take care of. Normally things run smoothly, but it doesn’t mean mistakes won’t happen, whether they’re yours or someone else’s. Even if an employee or supplier is to blame, you could be held liable.
From stock damage to supply chain problems, it is vital that insurances you purchase respond as you expect when you need them, enabling you to keep doing what you do best. Selling and looking after your customers.
Someone might slip on an item of clothing on your shop floor and injure themselves, or a customer could have an allergic reaction to a wrongly labelled chocolate bar bought on your premises. Even if you’re personally not at fault, you could face a liability claim. If you trade online or you just use computers for managing orders, one malicious cyber attack could seriously disrupt your business.
Dealing with a major incident is emotionally draining and it’s a real headache for your business too, but floods, fires and robberies do happen, even if you’ve taken the right precautions.
Employers’ liability is an essential part of your insurance program as the vast majority of employers are required by law to purchase such cover. It is designed to protect your business if an employee injures themselves at work or becomes ill due to their job.
As a retailer you are likely to be working closely with the general public and suppliers. If a customer injures themselves on your premises this policy will fund legal defence costs and pay any damages awarded.
Retailers and distributors are often held accountable by law should a product they sell injure a customer or damage their property. Product liability insurance will cover you for legal costs and compensation from any such claims.
Retailers such as yourself are best served by specialist shop insurance, this comprehensive cover can provide protection for:
This cover is there to protect your organisation against Cyber Crime. As the retail sector evolves more business in being traded on-line ,meaning that you rely on technology to operate effectively and therefore run the risk of a data breach or a virus. Criminals will look to exploit any organisation with weak cyber security. Cyber insurance cover is available for the ever increasing risks of cyber exposures, ranging from hacking or viruses, cyber crime/fraud through to social engineering and software ransom.
Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss in any more detail. We’re here to help
R.K. Henshall © 2026
R K Henshall is a trading name of Advisory Insurance Brokers Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our Firm Reference number (FRN) is 313250. Registered office: 2 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7PD. Registered in England & Wales No.4043759.
R K Henshall are very proud to support Lupus UK. Lupus UK is a charity very close to our hearts. Unfortunately, Nita Davies who had been a stalwart of our company from it’s very beginning lost her battle against this terrible illness in 2013. Lupus UK is the only National Charity which supports people with the immune system illness. (Registered charity nos. 1051610, SC039682) Click here to read more about Lupus UK.
Tel: 01270 758070
Email: john@rkhenshall.com
John has 20 years of insurance broking experience. John has been awarded the Advanced Diploma in Insurance by the Chartered Institute and has achieved his Certificate in Financial Services.
John is particularly experienced in the arrangement of covers for construction customers and advises across all classes including speciality lines for clients.
John is a keen sportsman having played rugby at local level for both Penrith and Sandbach. He was captain of Sandbach squash club for many years and continues to play in the North West league.
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Tel: 01270 758097
Email: Allen@rkhenshall.com
Allen has over 15 years experience in commercial insurance having worked for a mixture of large and smaller insurers before moving in to an Insurance broking role. He is responsible for the RK Henshall online trading through the Hensure Brand and also has overall responsibility for a number of delegated Authority binders that operate within the Underwriting Agency. In his spare time he likes to play golf and is also the drummer in a covers band.
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Tel: 01270 758088
Email: angela@rkhenshall.com
Angela started her career in banking and investments. She transferred to the construction industry in 1994 where she qualified as an accountant and took on the role of Financial Controller. Angela joined RK Henshall in 2013 and is responsible for the financial management, HR and compliance functions of the business.
She is also an RAF Reservist and devotes much of her spare time to keeping fit.
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Direct Dial: 01270 296375
Email: joanne@rkhenshall.com
Jo has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, covering all aspects of commercial and property insurance, with a particular interest in the motor trade sector. She works closely with businesses to identify potential coverage gaps and ensure they have the right protection in place.
Jo is committed to building long-term relationships with her clients by focusing on tailored insurance solutions, keeping premiums competitive, and providing peace of mind – rather than taking an overly sales-focused approach.
Outside of R K Henshall, Jo enjoys spending time with her horse, and regularly competes in equestrian events. She is also a keen gym-goer and loves spending time with her family and walking her dog.
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Tel: 01270 758099
Email: phil@rkhenshall.com
Phil has nearly 30 years of broking experience, specialising in the Construction and Motor Trade Industry.
As Client Director, Phil works within the corporate business department managing a book of existing customers, introducing new clients and working with the relevant Account Executives, Senior Leadership teams and the Claims department to develop and retain existing high profile clients.
Outside of RK Henshall, Phil enjoys spending time with his son and is a keen cricketer. His true passion is Motorsport and Track days and follows the British Touring Cars all over the country.
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Tel: 01270 236160
Email: marky@rkhenshall.com
Mark has over 10 years’ experience in the insurance industry, working as both a Commercial Insurance Broker and Insurer Business Development Manager across several industry sectors, including Motor Fleet, Property, Liability and Claims Management.
Mark is passionate about building a strong working relationship with his clients, as he feels this is key to building trust on which he can give appropriate advice to his customers’ needs.
In his spare time, Mark is a keen golfer (typically during the warmer months of the year!) and likes to go to music gigs when he can.
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Tel: 01270 758061
Email: Lea@rkhenshall.com
Lea has over 25 years experience of placing and underwriting both commercial & personal lines insurance business, across a broad range of products. Areas of expertise include Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Distribution and Warehousing, Liability and Professional Indemnity, Motor Trade and Motor Fleet Insurance. Having worked for both brokers and an Insurer, Lea has excellent industry & product knowledge.
Outside of R.K Henshall, Lea is a keen cricketer, loves spending time with his family and also holds a private pilot’s licence.
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Tel: 01270 296463
Email: melb@rkhenshall.com
Mel is our Broking Services Manager, joining the team in 2025. She is originally from Yorkshire and has 35 years of experience as an insurance broker.
For more than 10 years, Mel serviced over 150 fleet clients, before making the move into Commercial Insurance.
Outside of the office, Mel is a keen runner and likes spending time with her family.
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Tel: 01270 758062
Email: colin@rkhenshall.com
Colin has over 18 years insurance experience in both Commercial Broking and claims over a wide range of niches.
Colin is Cert CII and Cert CILA qualified which are industry recognised qualifications within the insurance claims and loss adjusting sectors enabling RK Henshall to competently manage and advise on all claims including property damage, liability and motor.
Outside of his working life, Colin enjoys playing Sunday League Football, Coaching for Hanley Town FC, playing golf and going to music gigs.
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Tel: 01270 758070 (Option 1)
Email: melanie@rkhenshall.com
Melanie started work at RK Henshall in 1992 as a trainee straight from school and has progressed to Personal lines team manager. She is responsible for the growth and development of all our “Insurance for You” products and her team of experienced advisors.
Outside of RK Henshall Melanie loves spending quality time with her children and keeping fit.
Melanie has recently completed her second London Marathon raising money for our company charity Lupus UK, a charity dear to our hearts here at RK Henshall.
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R K Henshall are delighted to once again support Kidsgrove Cricket club in their forthcoming season www.kidgsgrove.play-cricket.com
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R K Henshall are proud to once again support Milton United Football Club in their forthcoming season.
www.miltonunitedfc.co.uk
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Supporting Community Business do great work in the community, and have done since they were established in 1998. In 2019, RK Henshall nominated SCB for the Aviva Community Fund and we managed to obtain funding from Aviva to the value of £5,000, allowing SCB to replace their heating system. We have continued to build a great relationship with the charity in recent years.
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Community clubs like Elworth Cricket Club offer a safe, friendly environment to get involved in recreational sport at any age and socialise with friends. We are delighted to once again support Elworth CC in their forthcoming season.
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RK Henshall have been sponsors of Sandbach United since 2015, watching them develop into the fantastic family orientated club it is today. They were named FA National Grassroots Club of the Year winners in 2020.
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Several of the RK Henshall team have played for Sandbach Rugby Club over the years, including our Managing Director, John Henshall and current first team player Josh. We have been proud sponsors of the club for a number of years, building a fantastic relationship with the club, their members and the players, and we continue to sponsor and attend an annual match.
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