Awards recognition marks growth and innovation

The 55-strong company, which operates out of headquarters in Halifax and satellite offices in Hull and Liverpool and boasts corporate and private clients throughout the UK, has made it to the final of two prestigious categories.

 

Wilby’s Commercial Lines Broker of the Year shortlisting recognises its innovation in developing pioneering value-added niche products for clients including holiday park operators, caravan and motorbike dealers and social care providers. The company’s far-sighted commercial approach has seen the business double in size after averaging a 30 per cent year-on-year sales increase since 2006.  

 

Wilby also takes pride of place as a finalist alongside global giants RSA, Markel and Chartis in the Training Award category. A champion of employee development and the first insurance broker in West Yorkshire to gain the Investor In People status, Wilby worked with Calderdale College to create and develop the first bespoke training programme for the industry which leads to a formal insurance qualification at NVQ Level 3. 

 

The course, which is now attracting fellow brokers, will result in over 80 per cent of Wilby’s employees holding a professional qualification and underpin the company’s aim to achieve Chartered Broker status later this year.

 

Managing director, Richard Blackburn, commented: “Our consistent growth is testament to our collective vision, passion and drive and our inclusion in the British Insurance Awards is the highest possible endorsement of our commitment to invest in developing the talent in our industry, to constantly innovate – and to nurture long-term client relationships.”

 

Wilby’s innovation and drive will also give the company an edge over its competitors, should the recommendations of a recent report from the Chartered Insurance Institute be adopted by the insurance industry. Entitled The Aldermanbury Declaration, the report outlines a common standards framework for the profession, seeking to create a professional code like those applying to the legal and accountancy sectors, and includes recommendations for training and development.

 

Richard Blackburn concluded: “The pioneering programme we devised in partnership with Calderdale College has accelerated our professional development goals and leaves us very well placed to meet and exceed the training criteria of the Declaration, should it be implemented industry-wide as expected. Our decision to inject a significant investment of resource and money into the venture in the current economic climate will pay dividends in fulfilling staff potential and in attracting the very best people to our industry.”

 

A former winner of the coveted British Insurance Awards in 2002 and 2007, Wilby will attend the awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on July 7.