Any McLaren Vale local will know that Hancock Insurance has been around for more than 35 years. Today we chat to Tom Hancock, the next generation who, teamed with wife Hayley and young son Connor are taking Hancock Insurance full steam ahead for the next decade or four!

Tom has been in the insurance game for the past 15 years, starting with a traineeship at QBE Insurance. After gaining his insurance knowledge with QBE and other international brokers it was time too for a bit of a change.

Settling down with his wife Hayley, he felt there was more to life than the big corporate brokers and the city life. Tom’s father was looking to retire, and the timing was right for all involved to head south and settle in McLaren Vale.

Photo: Tom, Connor & Hayley

In December 2019, they bought their home in McLaren Vale and Tom worked alongside his father to ensure he could take over the business seamlessly.

Three years on, Tom has not looked back. The business has grown in this time, and it has been a real joy for Tom to unearth his expertise and technical knowledge developed within the corporate sector and bring it to our region. His family of two has grown to three, and the work life balance is feeling much more realistic settling here in the vale. “Being able to embrace the community life has been absolutely fantastic” Tom tells me, “I wouldn’t change a thing!”

Growing up in Happy Valley and attending high school at Woodcroft College Tom has always felt that South of Adelaide was home. After school he was briefly based in the CBD, but with his father running his business in the main street of McLaren Vale for well over 35 years, much time has been spent in McLaren Vale and surrounds, and the move to settle here was no more than a natural progression.

Working in such an industry and location is pretty special. What is it that makes you proud of the place you live and work?

From a business perspective, how diverse the region is, is very unique. We have a lot of agriculture, but I think many people would be surprised about the wide range of other industries and small businesses that run from the Fleurieu. Learning about other businesses and supporting the locals and local businesses is very special. A region like this, most people have a connection to others. In our business we have a role of removing some burden for our clients and ensuring they are covered for all they need. It’s rewarding knowing we are doing our bit to help their business flourish and having both a personal and business connection.

Personally, the slower pace of life and sense of community is really wonderful. We are close enough to the city to be able to visit or do anything we need to do, but we still have so many amenities here, an amazing array of wineries and dining out options, we really are spoilt with choice. The sense of belonging, being a part of this great community and raising a family here really is special.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about yourself and what you love to do out of work.

Food and wine are a big part of our enjoyment, whether it be visiting our favourite cellar doors or a trip to Ellis Butchers and cooking up a storm at home with fresh veggies from the Willunga market or our own garden.

Moving here has also rekindled a love of golf, being spoilt with courses in sensational locations and close to home.

Formula one is Tom’s other passion, with his prized 80’s Grand Prix posters proudly on display in the office (because they ‘don’t work with the décor at home’).

What is something many locals would not know about you?

Tom is the main chef in the Hancock House, as we may have guessed by the time spent telling me how good Ellis Butchers meat is!

He is an avid green thumb and passionate kitchen-garden enthusiast.

YOUR TOP TIPS for the Fleurieu Peninsula / Kangaroo Island:

Best place to....

• Grab a quick bite…the whole Fleurieu! Our favourite breakfast / brunch hang out is Manna in the main street of McLaren Vale.

• Have a more serious feed…again we have so many! The Little Rickshaw, the Salopian Inn, Hanabi Japanese, Vigna Bottin to name a few favourites.

• Have a beer or wine…. Chalk Hill is a fave, Swell for a beer and burger or the McLaren Vale pub after work, being family friendly and super convenient.

• Go for a dip…Maslin’s…. the clad part of the beach!

• Explore nature…we tend to gravitate to the beach or Myponga Reserve…and the golf course.

When I’m on the Fleurieu and/or KI, I…

• feel…content, settled and peaceful. We are at home.

• always make sure I visit… one of the many bakeries, local coffee spots and a playground for Connor 

• stock up on… wine and other fabulous regional produce.

Weirdest thing that’s happened to me here:

Seeing the Main Road completely empty on Good Friday 2020, at the peak of Covid. Not a soul around, it was a very strange and surreal feeling for our normally bustling town.

Best memory of being here: 

Having and raising Connor!

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region: 

Book some accommodation and stay! There is so much more to the region besides just wine (although that is excellent)! From the beaches and parks, to bakeries, breweries, pubs and places to eat you can’t do it all in a day.