UK Broker Award Winners, 2008

The E-business Award:

Insureand Go

The Technology Award:

Alphatec - Timebox

"The UK Broker Awards was a tremendous opportunity to meet with many of our peers in the industry who are also driving change. The event was extremely enjoyable, and the exposure and recognition we received as a direct result of winning the award last year has been immeasurable."

Brian Boyce, director, Alphatec (Timebox & Claim Control)

Claims Service of the Year:

Romero Insurance Brokers

Marketing Campaign of the Year:

The Davis Group (now Bluefin)

“For our campaign to be described by the judges as ‘Marketing at its best’ and to be awarded Marketing Campaign of the Year award was fantastic! It raises awareness of your company and its people on all levels, by giving an insight into your products, services, culture and expertise.

“We entered because we had an exciting campaign to shout about. We were proud of what we had achieved and were curious to see if this stood up against larger competitors. The UK Broker Award was the perfect vehicle for us.

“Entering, being shortlisted, and going on to win really boosted the morale of the teams involved and certainly gave employees confidence in their own abilities.”

Anita Irvine, marketing manager, The Davis Group (now Bluefin)

Customer Service Provider of the Year:

Caravan Guard

"The UK Broker awards remain amongst the most prestigious awards in the UK insurance industry. The award has been instantly recognised by our existing (and potential!) customers and business affiliates as a sign of our first class customer service."

Craig Thompson, associate director, Caravan Guard

Risk Management Service of the Year:

Aon Global Risk Consulting

"The UK broker award really put the final recognition on a lot of hard work put in by our international team to bringing of Product Risk Management to market. The recognition was very gratifying and has helped us position ourselves as having a leading solution for clients. We would like to that the judges and organisers for their support"

Alex Hindson, head of enterprise risk management, AON Global Risk Consulting

Private Clients Intermediary:

Chambers & Newman

Investment in People Award:

Centor Insurance and Risk Management

"The UK Broker Awards event is not to be missed. Well organised, highly entertaining and professional, it offers excellent opportunities to network with industry contacts and entertain clients and staff. Winning the 2008 Investment in People Award meant a great deal to Centor and we have used our success to promote our business in a number of different ways since the event. It speaks volumes about our culture and values and we are extremely proud of our achievement."

Paul Field, systems and quality director, Centor Insurance and Risk Management

Personal Lines Initiative of the Year:

BGL - ibuyeco

"We entered the award because we were really proud of our carbon-offset motor insurance product and how quickly it had won favour with the public. To win really was the icing on the cake for the team - a tangible reward for their hard work. I really recommend it as a means of getting external recognition for business achievements. Not only has it been a great boost for us internally, but it has earned us media attention and better awareness in the industry for a product that we have only really marketed to the consumer."

Andy Bord, director, ibuyeco

Commercial Lines Initiative of the Year:

RK Harrison Insurance Brokers

Schemes Intermediary of the Year:

K Drewe Insurance Brokers

"The last several years had seen tremendous change and growth for K Drewe. We knew how successful we were, how good our offering was, but felt a bit like the market’s best kept secret!

The UK Broker Awards were the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what we’re about; we entered for 3 categories, were shortlisted in all 3 and won Schemes Intermediary – what could be better?

It’s boosted our confidence and morale, increased our profile with those who already knew us and introduced us to many who didn’t to very positive effect. You’ll find the Awards logos all over our internal and external communications – that’s how much it means to us.

If you’ve got something to shout about, enter The UK Broker Awards - we’ll certainly be going for gold again this year."

Ian Drewe, managing director, K Drewe Insurance Brokers

Wholesale Intermediary of the Year:

TFP Schemes

"Receiving the award of "Wholesale Intermediary of the Year 2008" was one of the highlights of our very successful year. Whilst we received excellent profile from the evening and indeed since, most satisfying was the "pride" and "excitement" shown by our staff in achieving such an accolade from the insurance industry.

We made an application for last year’s awards event as we felt we had a notable success story to share. We were right to enter as the award has seen our profile raised very considerably both within our chosen market and across other sectors, We would recommend any broker who has experienced success to celebrate their achievements and enter the 2009 awards."

Damian Walsh, partner, TFP Schemes

Intermediary of the Year:

Clear Insurance Management

"The event itself was great fun and well organised - always a highlight on the broker’s calendar. Winning the Intermediary of the Year Award has done wonders for our profile. It's a great badge to wear as a regional independent when you are competing with the bigger brokers with better known brands. It gives us great confidence to continue growing and competing with the best."

Howard Lickens, CEO, Clear Insurance Management

Young Broker of the Year:

Neil Grimshaw, founder, Ravenhall Risk Solutions

View the article written for Neil Grimshaw after winning his award

“Ravenhall entered the awards as it is a great way to increase our profile as a business and become recognised by others within the industry for the amazing achievements that the staff at Ravenhall have achieved over the past two years.

“Those years have been the toughest that I have ever had, setting up a new business and pushing it forward to where we are now. As such, on a personal level, it meant an awful lot to be recognised for all of that hard work by people within the industry that stand out as the industry leaders.

“For the business it has meant that we obtain a lot more recognition from insurers and other suppliers within the industry and also from a customer facing perspective it is an obvious advantage to be an award winner. It has opened door from a PR perspective and allowed us to use the success to increase our profile locally too.

“Other brokers should enter if they feel that they have done something that stands out as unique in the industry and feel that they deserve the recognition and plaudits for that happening. For the reasons above it is a worthwhile exercise if others in the industry think that what you have achieved is worthy of recognition.

“Business couldn’t be better and the awards of 2008 have helped us accelerate our plans and improve relationships with insurers. Without them we would be a few steps behind where we are now.”

Neil Grimshaw, director, Ravenhall

The Achievement Award:

David Slade, chairman, Perkins Slade

"The Achievement Award is different to those Awards where an entry from an applicant is required. It is an award given at the judgement of one's peers and as such is both humbling and motivational at the same time.

I have always considered that such Awards are given to those at the end of their careers which, if age is the deciding factor, I certainly am. However the motivational drive is profound, creating the drive and ambition to keep driving on and to share one's approach and beliefs with others."

David Slade, chairman, Perkins Slade