UNA Alliance

UNA Member, Integro Insurance Brokers has revealed that its corporate and private clients division will be rebranded to Tysers on 1 July. 

This follows Integro’s purchase of Tysers’ parent company Hawkes Bay in March 2018.

The broking business detailed that its wholesale division has rebranded to Tysers immediately after the deal was completed.

As a result Tysers will have offices in Manchester, Hitchin and Aylesbury, in addition to its headquarters in London. The business specialises in commercial lines and private clients.

Integro explained that its entertainment and sport division, including the related private clients business, will continue to operate under the Integro brand.

UNA Board Member, Bob Pybus, head of the Corporate & Private Clients business commented:

“We have established a fantastic team of experienced brokers based in our regional offices.  Our strong and long-standing relationships with leading insurers and Lloyd’s syndicates will enable us to negotiate the very best deals for businesses.”

He continued:

“Whilst we will operate with the support of our London teams it is important that we offer our complete broking and risk service at a local level.  We already support many businesses in the regions and look forward to bringing the benefits of our expertise and solutions to many more over the coming months.”

UNA is delighted to report that it has made the shortlist for 2 prestigious awards:-

Broker Network of the Year for the Broker Innovation Awards and 

Broker Network of the Year for the UK Broker Awards.

Results are announced in September, so watch this space!

UNA Member and Nottingham's largest insurance broker, Russell Scanlan, has launched a new Business Protection and Healthcare Division, offering a range of corporate protection and healthcare solutions that can be tailored to the unique needs of individual business owners and their employees.

The new division will build on the company’s existing healthcare provision to include traditional Private Medical Insurance (PMI), Health and Wellbeing Support Plans and Business Protection Policies.

Bryan Banbury, Managing Director of Russell Scanlan said:

“..There are many benefits of corporate healthcare insurance both to the individual owners and to the business – it can help reduce absenteeism, creates staff loyalty, protects profitability and improve company efficiency. Once perceived as a perk, it is often now considered as an essential element in an employee’s package, helping to facilitate in the recruitment and retention of staff.

“And of course, it’s not just about employees. Business protection plans are designed to safeguard the people who matter most to your success. They can help ensure the business stays on track if you or a key member of staff were to pass away suddenly or be unable to work due to a serious illness.

“However, the diverse nature of businesses means that one size does not fit all. Sole traders, SME’s and larger organisations all have different needs, priorities and budgets! With our new suite of plans we can offer bespoke packages that are tailored to meet the needs of all business – large or small.”

The new division from Russell Scanlan includes the full spectrum of Health and Wellbeing related policies working with all of the UK's leading private health insurance providers.

Of course, the old adage prevention is better than cure is particularly true when it comes to reducing employee absenteeism due to illness. Russell Scanlan is one of a select number of UK wide insurance brokers that have exclusive access to Equipsme, a smart and super cost-effective way of providing practical Health and Wellbeing Support for employees.

Aimed at small and medium businesses who may have struggled to offer PMI to their employees, Equipsme provides healthcare cover from just £7 per month. It includes Health Insurance from AXA PPP healthcare and brings together essential services such as 24/7 GP Access, optional extras such as Stress Support and ‘day one’ value with personalised Health Checks.

Business owners can also take advantage of a range of new Business Protection Policies including Key Person Insurance, Ownership Cover, Loan Protection Cover and Death in Service. These arrangements are designed to provide the necessary financial security, protection and continuity in the untimely passing away of key personnel or the onset of serious illness. Russell Scanlan specifically works with Vitality, which offers competitive protection policies including the Vitality Discounts and Rewards Programme.

Business Healthcare Manager, Chris Cunnington, who has specialised in private healthcare and employee benefits for over 20 years, heads the new division. He added: “A growing demand for services are putting more strain on the NHS than ever before. As waiting times increase and access to specialist medical treatment becomes more difficult, business owners are starting to recognise the importance and value of supporting their employees.”

“As a business, your people are often your most important asset and a healthy workplace is a happier, more productive one. Our specialist Division will help identify key priorities, guide you to the best available solution and provide ongoing support.”

UNA Member, MRIB Group Insurance and Investments are delighted to announce the acquisition of Reading based insurance brokerage Independents.

MRIB Group was established in 1972 by Peter and Maureen Finch. Based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, the company has developed into one of the UK’s top Chartered Insurance Brokers and Financial Advisers, offering Corporate Insurance, Private Client Insurance and Financial Services. From its early days of 2 employees and premises on Easton Street, High Wycombe, MRIB Group now boasts a workforce of nearly 50 talented people from the local area.

Independents, based in Winnersh, Berkshire, are specialists in insurances for the UK health and fitness sector. Established in 1999 by Frank Adebowale, they have become market leaders in insurance and risk management programs for the Gym, and Trampoline and Inflatable Parks Industries. Such is their expertise, the International Association of Trampoline Parks UK have chosen Independents as their UK insurance partner.

Frank Adebowale, the founder of Independents says “We see this new phase for the business as hugely exciting”. Frank will continue as a Non-executive Director and Consultant. Neil Adebowale, his son, will continue working within the business as a Director and will join the Operational Board at MRIB Group.
Both companies are Chartered insurance brokers, a prestigious status that is granted to less than 5% of those in the industry. Chartered status is a symbol of excellence and serves as a mark of trust with clients and business connections. It demonstrates that the organisations granted it are at the forefront of their profession.

Today’s news demonstrates the business’ commitment to expand into attractive, specialist insurance markets. The highly compatible business structures and cultures will create an attractive and competitive brokerage.

Edward Finch, Managing Director of MRIB Group says “I am incredibly excited to bring Independents into the MRIB Group team. We are looking forward to developing our offering and strengthening our position as an insurance broker of choice.”

Founding UNA Member and Scotland's Scotland’s largest independent insurance broker, Bruce Stevenson has acquired Turriff-based regional player Youngson Insurance Consultants on the back of a record financial year that closes out its most recent 5-year plan of growth.  For the year ended 31st August 2018, revenue was up to £7.3 million (2017: £6.6m), gross profit increased to £1.5 million (2017: £1.37m), while gross written premium (GWP) grew to £33 million (2017 was £30 million). (Please note that Youngson’s figures are NOT included in these figures). 

Key areas of growth for Bruce Stevenson include renewable energy and social housing, which now represent the firm’s two largest sectors, with a step up in activity also recorded in commercial, property, private client, art, and farms and estates over the last twelve months.  The firm has also made strong ground in hospitality and tourism - where the firm has forged partnerships with industry bodies like Scotland Food and Drink and social enterprise Hospitality Scotland Trust (HIT) - with food and drink, distilleries, B&Bs and self-catering all experiencing marked traction.  

Bruce Stevenson was founded in 1981 by current CEO Edward Bruce’s father, David Bruce, and has reached the top industry spot in Scotland by way of organic growth, investing its its people and technology, and has achieved regular annual double-digit revenue growth.  Looking ahead, the senior management team will also continue to actively consider further growth in niche areas and by acquisition.  
 
Bruce Stevenson CEO, Edward Bruce, said: “We are passionate about looking after our customers and building our reputation in the insurance industry with a view to becoming the broker of choice in Scotland and beyond.  We are making this happen by investing in our people and technology and adding bolt-on acquisitions where we feel they can add expertise and geographic spread to our overall proposition.”
 
Youngson Insurance Consultants, with a team of 7 in Turriff, adds approximately £2.5 million in GWP to Bruce Stevenson while strengthening the firm’s offering in Aberdeen and the North East.  Edward Bruce said: “Youngson is a great fit culturally and they have a loyal, local client base that helps to provide us with a firmer foothold in the North East of Scotland.  We fully intend to grow the team to take advantage of the opportunities we see in the region.”

Ian Bremner, Director, Youngson Insurance Consultants, said: “While we are well-established in the North East, the firm had been considering how to accelerate our next phase of growth and Bruce Stevenson provides us with the platform to do that.  We’re greatly encouraged that Edward has made it clear from the start of our negotiations that Bruce Stevenson wants to invest in the team and technology to make that happen.”  
 
Edward Bruce added: “As an owner-managed independent, we focus on using our expertise to advise people on the most comprehensive ways of protecting what is important to them. And we do this by providing a ‘best in class’ standard of service. We constantly strive to create a more fulfilling environment for our people, where they can concentrate on providing a more traditional client facing relationship. The same goes for our relationships with insurers, which are strong and well established. What we’ve found is that by getting to know our clients better, we can offer more relevant advice, resulting in fewer grey areas and more effective insurance cover."  
 
Bruce Stevenson, which is a Chartered Broker now has 98 people working across 5 offices - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Galashiels, London and Turriff.