Be Wiser Insurance
History
Be Wiser Insurance is an independently owned Financial Conduct Authority approved and regulated insurance broker, and member of the British Insurance Brokers Associate (BIBA).[1] The company was founded in 2007 by Mark Bower-Dyke and 7 Directors. The current number of employees totals over 650 staff in 5 offices across Andover, Hampshire.[2]
Be Wiser Insurance is a major employer in Andover.[3] Be Wiser Insurance opened their new headquarters in September 2014,[4] the HQ was officially opened by Sir George Young, 6th Baronet[5]
Growth
Be Wiser's growth can be seen through the company's consistent ranking in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for privately owned companies, sponsored by the Virgin Group. In 2011 Be Wiser had 80,000 policy holders,[6] in 2012 that number increased to 100,000 policy holders while "the Andover company has had to triple its staff since 2010, adding 100 in the past year alone",[7] and in 2013 the company added 32,000 new customers - bringing the total to more than 140,000.[8] Be Wiser has a current customer base of over 200,000 with a premium income of over £110 million and is one of the Top 10 Personal Lines Brokers in the UK.
Training and development
Be Wiser currently has 280 Apprentices and is one of the UK's Top 100 Apprenticeship Providers.[9][10][11] In 2014 Be Wiser was rewarded nationally for their apprenticeship programmes; HeadStart, FreshStart, SureStart and KickStart.[12][13][14][15] Be Wiser also trains and develops external candidates from across the Insurance sector through its Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) training centre.[16][17]
Sponsorship
Be Wiser Insurance sponsor several sports teams and events.
Be Wiser Insurance sponsors a British Superbike Racing Team - Be Wiser Kawasaki. The Be Wiser Kawasaki team is managed by previous British Superbike Champion 2011, Tommy Hill.[18] The racing team[19] consists of Chris Walker (motorcycle racer) and Danny Buchan.[20] The team rides Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - notable for its unusual yellow and black Be Wiser livery.[21]
Other Sponsorship
- 2008 - Current. Sponsors & supporters of Newbury Race Course Annual Race Day at Newbury Racecourse[22]
- 2012 - Current. Match day sponsors and club partner of Reading Football Club[23][24]
- 2012 - 2014. Kawasaki Superstock Series[25]
- 2015 - Current. Be Wiser Kawasaki British Super Bikes[26][27]
- 2015 April. Newbury Race Course, Spring Cup
- 2015 June. Hampshire PGA Stroke Play Championships[28]
References
- ↑ Be Wiser Insurance joins BIBA – 15th September 2014
- ↑ Andover Town. "Be Wiser Insurance Announces 20% Growth".
- ↑ "Be wiser posts drop in profit as turnover increases by £4m Insurance Age". www.insuranceage.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Latest news-Insurance People-News-Market Talk". insurancepeople.uk.com. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Sir George Young". sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "2011 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 Rank: 13 Be Wiser Insurance". fasttrack.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "2012 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 Rank: 45 Be Wiser Insurance". fasttrack.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "2013 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 Rank: 78 Be Wiser Insurance". fasttrack.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Congratulations to the National Apprenticeship Award winners and the Top 100 apprenticeship employers". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Andover Insurance broker seeks apprentices". ITV News. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ Andover Town. "National Apprenticeship Awards Win for Be Wiser". Andover Town. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Winners 2013 - INSPIRE BUSINESS AWARDSINSPIRE BUSINESS AWARDS". INSPIRE BUSINESS AWARDS. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Growing insurance firm prepares for the future". Daily Echo. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "The Business Magazine - Solent 250 Awards from The Business Magazine". The Business Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ Andover Town. "Andover Apprentice Helps Win National Award". Andover Town. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Introducing the Wiser Academy – 12 Day CII Certification Training To Change the Insurance Industry". Be Wiser Insurance. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Career development & CSR: Be Wiser launches training academy". www.postonline.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "BSB: Tommy Hill to manage Kawasaki BSB team". 1 October 2014.
- ↑ "APKawasaki - British Superbikes Race Team". bewiserkawasaki.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Be Wiser Kawasaki 2015 Rider Line-Up – Chris Walker and Danny Buchan - Chris Walker the Stalker". walkerthestalker.com. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "AP Kawasaki - Gallary". bewiserkawasaki.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Be Wiser Insurance Celebrates 5th Birthday with a Day at the Races". Be Wiser Insurance. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Royals announce Be Wiser deal". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Partners". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "Be Wiser Kawasaki Team Launched". Be Wiser Insurance. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ Be Wiser Kawasaki set for 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship – 1st October 2014
- ↑ "Be Wiser Insurance moves onto the racetrack". Wiltshire Business Online. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ↑ Hampshire PGA 2015 Fixtures Diary - 5th March 2015