ATTENTION to detail and a sound knowledge of agriculture in the insurance industry have won an insurance advisor from Wales a national award.

Sally Harding, a claims executive with Old Oak Insurance Brokers has been selected as the winner of the Claims Member of the Year Award by FarmWeb, the national network of insurance brokers.

Old Oak Insurance Brokers is a family run and independent business specialising in providing a full range of general insurance services.

A member of FarmWeb, the company was established in 1938 and operates throughout West Wales, with offices in Carmarthen, Cardigan and Tenby.

After a career in banking and the public sector, Sally joined the company in October 2006 and for the last four years has concentrated on working with farming clients.

"At first I didn't know very much about agriculture, but have gradually built up my farming knowledge. It can be complicated, but it's always interesting and I very much enjoy what I do."

Ken Isherwood, chief executive of FarmWeb, which has over 80 members across England, Scotland and Wales, said: "This is an extremely prestigious award which Sally has won against strong competition. Our insurers, NIG, selected Sally for her efficiency, her empathy across both the farming and insurance sectors, saying she is 'a pleasure to work with, with information well presented and an eye on keeping costs to a minimum'."

Peter Evans, MD of Old Oak Insurance, said: "We are delighted with Sally's success, and her approach is very much the ethos across our company as a whole. With a dedicated farm team, plus local agricultural knowledge, we are the perfect choice for agricultural insurance and have customers across Wales. We are delighted to be associated with FarmWeb."

Mr. Isherwood presented Sally with her award at the farm of Peter Gash at Whitland. Old Oak Insurance Brokers has looked after Mr. Gash's needs for around 15 years. Mr. Gash has a 320-acre dairy enterprise which he farms with his son Michael.