Longhawk Group transfers claims divisions to Direct Group
02/02/2009 12:00:00 by Marketing
Longhawk Group is delighted to announce the transfer of its Nexus and Travel Protection Services (TPS) claims administration services to Direct Group as part of an ongoing commitment to improve service.
Claims administration in Nexus and TPS covers a broad skill set across a wide range of products within the property, travel and liability market. This includes specialist teams handling schemes for Social Housing, Let Property and Wedding insurances. In addition, the Nexus team has significant industry experience of Employers and Public Liability, Professional Indemnity & Legal Expenses claims handling.
Howard Posner, Chairman of Longhawk Group said: “This partnership with Direct Group offers a quality claims service - a crucial part of any successful insurance business. The transfer offers Longhawk Group and our customers enhanced service standards, drawing upon Direct Group’s wealth of experience in claims administration and their enhanced systems and processing capabilities.”
Derek Coles, Direct Group’s Chief Executive Officer commented: “The transfer of Nexus and TPS strengthens our existing relationship with Longhawk Group and provides us with a platform to grow services in the Travel and Liability markets. It marks the continued development of our strategy to offer a leading multi-product administration model across a number of markets."
“The team of highly experienced claims professionals at Longhawk Group,headed up by Graeme Bell, will enhance and strengthen Direct Group’s operations from which we can further develop the services and offering, to benefit Longhawk Groupand its customers. I am obviously delighted to welcome Graeme and the two teams into Direct Group.”
Notes to Editors
Longhawk Group
Operating from offices in Leeds, Norwich and London, Longhawk Group is a leading independent provider of specialist insurance solutions generating premiums of over £150m from a large range of products. Formed in 2002 the company is part of the Primary Group of companies.
Longhawk, which recently rebranded from UK Underwriting, has a unique combination of expertise, people, systems and access to underwriting capacity. Commercially innovative, technically agile and highly market-aware, the Group is able to leverage industry-leading expertise in partnership with some of the largest retail and consumer brands in the UK. Our own direct channels deliver high quality, carefully tailored, regulatory-compliant and sustainable specialist insurance products to end-customers. The current portfolio includes travel, property, legal, warranty, automotive-related and other specialised niche products. Longhawk will continue to expand as we identify further opportunities, secure new partners or acquire new businesses in the future.
UK Underwriting Limited is authorised by the FSA no. 310101.
Direct Group
Direct Group has grown rapidly since its launch in 1990 and was subject to a management buyout in August 2007; the management team acquired the business with the backing of Lloyds Development Capital and Barclays Bank. This deal has been the launch pad for rapid growth for Direct Group as it on track to treble over the next three years through acquisition and organic growth. Direct Group has worked with Longhawk Group (under the UKU brand) for the last 2 years on the area of property claims.
As a Managing General Agent (MGA), Direct Group aims to be the leading insurance services provider to the UK financial services marketplace. This vision is based around a philosophy of “treating customers and partners as we would expect to be treated ourselves”. The high quality of service offered by Direct Group is supported by a scalable and robust business platform which not only provides Clients’ and Insurers’ with unparalleled quality of management information but also provides the basis for expansion into new products and new market sectors.
Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities. The services offered by Direct Group include product design, account development and training, policy administration, premium collection, claim handling and sales, insurer and captive reporting.
Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA no. 307332.
For more information please contact Finance Director, Michael Warren on 07768 033380 michael.warren@ukul.com
MetLife outsources back office to Direct Group
07/01/2009 09:00:00 by Marketing
MetLife’s UK Protection Business, MetLife Limited and MetLife Insurance Limited, announced today it had reached agreement with Direct Group to transfer its administration and claims handling activity to Direct Group in a 5 year deal as part of its ongoing plans to develop further in the UK market.
The administration contract will cover a broad range of protection based products including Mortgage PPI, Credit Card PPI, Income Protection, Loan PPI (secured & unsecured) & Personal Accident.
Colin Moody Managing Director of MetLife’s UK Protection Business commented “MetLife are very pleased to be working with Direct Group, as they have demonstrated expertise in administering the products we underwrite and focus on great customer service”.
Derek Coles Chief Executive Officer added “the outsourcing of administration to Direct Group shows a growing relationship with MetLife and continues the company’s expansion in the outsourcing arena. The successful transition of a number of blue chip names including MetLife further demonstrates the delivery capabilities of our business. I am delighted to start the year on such a positive note”.
Notes to Editors
Company Background
Direct Group has grown rapidly since its launch in 1990 and was subject to a management buyout in August 2007; the management team acquired the business with the backing of Lloyds Development Capital and Barclays Bank. This deal has been the launch pad for rapid growth for Direct Group as it on track to treble over the next three years through acquisition and organic growth.
Company Vision and Culture
As a Managing General Agent (MGA), Direct Group aims to be the leading insurance services provider to the UK financial services marketplace. This vision is based around a philosophy of “treating customers and partners as we would expect to be treated ourselves”. The high quality of service offered by Direct Group is supported by a scalable and robust business platform which not only provides Clients’ and Insurers’ with unparalleled quality of management information but also provides the basis for expansion into new products and new market sectors.
Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities. The services offered by Direct Group include product design, account development and training, policy administration, premium collection, claim handling and sales, insurer and captive reporting.
Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA.
For further information contact Hilary Thompson – PA to Directors, Direct Group 01302 380302 or e-mail hilarythompson@directgroup.co.uk
MetLife Limited and MetLife Insurance Limited
MetLife Limited and MetLife Insurance Limited (MetLife) are affiliates of MetLife, Inc. MetLife offers creditor, personal accident and critical illness through major banking partners in the United Kingdom and the European Union. For more information about MetLife, please visit the company’s website at www.metlife.co.uk
MetLife, Inc., through its affiliates, reaches more than 70 million customers in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. Affiliated companies, outside of the U.K., include the number one life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance inforce), with over 140 years of experience and relationships with more than 90 of the top one hundred FORTUNE 500® companies. The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, automobile and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savings products and services to corporations and other institutions.
For further information contact Katie Delamain – Blunt, Marketing Manager, MetLife.
07827 950 379 or email Katie.delamain-blunt@uk.metlife.com
Carlyle Selects Direct Group
02/12/2008 17:00:00 by Marketing
Following a competitive tender process Direct Group has been appointed to supply policy and claims administration services to Cardiff based Motor Finance provider, Carlyle Finance. The deal is a three way arrangement between Direct Group, Carlyle Finance and underwriting provider Hollard Risk Partners.
Chris Wood, Director of Sales & Marketing at Direct Group said “We are delighted to partner both Carlyle Finance and Hollard Risk Partners on this deal. Carlyle’s innovative and market leading approach to product distribution, combined with Hollard’s flexible underwriting ethos is complimented by our multi product administration model. The three way arrangement will provide the ideal platform for driving growth, whilst delivering quality customer service in a demanding marketplace.”
The relationship will initially mean the provision of Payment Protection and GAP insurance products, with the addition of further product derivatives which are currently under development to enhance Carlyle Finance’s offer to their customers in the near future.
Mark Standish, CEO of Carlyle Finance said,
“With the volume of insurance sales made by Carlyle, it was important to ensure we get the right partners for both our underwriting and administration, choosing an experienced and established administrator along with a forward thinking and innovative insurer, who we can work closely with is critical to our continuing growth and ongoing success.
The flexibility the Direct Group offer from an administration perspective, coupled with the innovative approach taken by Hollard, not only supports our philosophy and values, it will further enhance the service and products we are able to deliver to our customers and dealer partners”.
Arthur Goldberg, Executive Director of Hollard Risk Partners said,
“This is a fantastic example of how our business model helps one and one equal much more than two. We have brought together distribution, underwriting and administration in a way that aligns everyone’s interests and as such helps build a successful enterprise.
We are very excited about this opportunity and feel that working with both Carlyle and Direct Group will enable us to deliver innovative, cutting edge product, service and delivery to a market that is just crying out for a different approach”.
Derek Coles, Direct Groups’ Chief Executive Officer commented “To be appointed by Carlyle Finance and Hollard Risk Partners further strengthens our position in this space and is right on strategy for Direct Group as a solutions provider of insurance services to the Motor Finance market.”
Notes to Editors
Company Background
Direct Group has grown rapidly since its launch in 1990 and was subject to a management buyout in August 2007; the management team acquired the business with the backing of Lloyds Development Capital and Barclays Bank. This deal has been the launch pad for rapid growth for Direct Group as it on track to treble over the next three years through acquisition and organic growth.
Company Vision and Culture
As a Managing General Agent (MGA), Direct Group aims to be the leading insurance services provider to the UK financial services marketplace. This vision is based around a philosophy of “treating customers and partners as we would expect to be treated ourselves”. The high quality of service offered by Direct Group is supported by a scalable and robust business platform which not only provides Clients’ and Insurers’ with unparalleled quality of management information but also provides the basis for expansion into new products and new market sectors.
Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities. The services offered by Direct Group include product design, account development and training, policy administration, premium collection, claim handling and sales, insurer and captive reporting.
Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA.
West Bromwich Building Society launch new Household Insurance scheme
08/10/2008 13:52:13 by Marketing
West Bromwich Building Society (WBBS) launches new Household Insurance product underwritten by Norwich Union administered by chartered insurance brokers Millennium Insurance.
The policy is being sold via the WBBS branch network, the Society’s central Mortgage teams and is available to mortgage borrowers, investors and the general public.
WBBS Home Insurance gives a choice of Standard or Accidental Damage cover for owner occupied homes up to 5 bedrooms with a range of discounts on offer including up to 6 years No Claims Discount. Optional cover can be added for valuable items away from home including specified items over £1500 each.
The policy was specially developed by the Society with Norwich Union using a bespoke online Point of Sale (POS) quote and application system designed and implemented by Millennium Insurance, who were recently acquired by Direct Group.
The online system handles the full quote to submission process including a personalised Demands and Needs Statement for each customer, with the insurance application completed on line with a simple Statement of Fact.
David Taylor Insurance Product Manager at West Bromwich Building Society said “The Millennium Trading Centre system gives us the speed to market we needed in developing a new Home Insurance product with our selected insurer Norwich Union. As well as being a great POS system for stand alone insurance for branch and HO staff the Trading Platform can be integrated into our next generation mortgage application process so future scalability is already built in.”
Stephen Clowes Managing Director of Millennium said “Our GI trading platform has traditionally been used primarily by mortgage intermediaries, but working with WBBS has enabled the pipeline application status tracking and MI capabilities to be used to the platforms full potential, allowing WBBS Area Managers to monitor the activities of their branch network from any PC.”
Derek Coles CEO Direct Group added “I am delighted Millennium Insurance will provide all back office insurance policy administration services and handle all non standard risks and tailored underwriting issues for the Society”.
West Bromwich Building Society – Facts
WBBS
- employ nearly 1000 staff.
- distribute products and services through branches (48, primarily in the West Midlands), telephone and internet.
- are the 8th largest building society in the UK and have assets of over £8bn.
- demonstrate commitment to mutuality in a tangible way. Last year WBBS shared over £34m with members through competitive mortgage and savings rates and extra Privileged Membership rate benefits to reward loyalty.
- invest more than £500,000 each year in local communities through sponsorship and by supporting community and grassroots projects.
Millennium Insurance Brokers Ltd – The Facts
Millennium Insurance was acquired by Direct Group in June 2008 and as part of the wider group now offers a full range of insurance & protection services for financial services companies, from product design and point of sale implementation to premium collection, policy administration and claims management.
Millennium is a CII Chartered Insurance Broker, and handles a number of GI schemes under delegated authority from a range of insurers specialising in Household and PPI. It the new distribution arm of Direct Group and can handle all kinds of non standard household risks, plus a range of personal and commercial lines business.
About Norwich Union
Norwich Union is the UK’s largest general insurer with a market share of around 15%, with a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses.
It is a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest Financial Adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company's long-term savings business in the UK.
In the summer of 2009 Norwich Union will change its name to Aviva. Aviva is the world’s fifth largest insurance group and operates in 27 countries. Aviva is to become the customer brand worldwide, thus enabling the company to compete even more effectively on a global scale for the benefit of customers, staff, business partners and shareholders.
For further information please contact Hilary Thompson, Communications Officer, at: hilarythompson@directgroup.co.uk
Direct Group Acquires Millennium Insurance
03/06/2008 10:00:00 by Marketing
Direct Group Limited today announced it had bought Millennium Insurance a Midlands based provider of General Insurance solutions to the Mortgage broker and IFA market, for an un-disclosed sum.
Derek Coles CEO of Direct Group commented “ Millennium provides Direct Group with a front end sales proposition for our Corporate and Affinity customers offering a full range of General Insurance products across both Personal and Commercial lines. It fits well with our established policy Administration and in house Claims management businesses allowing the Group to access new markets and provide a broader range of services to both new and existing customers. We have examined a number of opportunities since the buyout last year and with the distribution and capability Millennium provides Direct Group this is an excellent fit.”
Steve Clowes Managing Director at Millennium added “We can provide a one-stop solution for our Business Partner clients using the Millennium Online Trading Centre or, our Referral service where we can undertake the regulated General Insurance sale on our clients behalf, or alternatively Affinity Programmes where we provide a web to web link for clients customers to “self select” their General Insurance needs on a non advised basis. Working as the in house distribution vehicle for Direct Group we can provide a full set of FSA regulated broker based point of sale options with full back office support to the wider Direct Group customer base.”
Coles ended by saying “this move allows us to deepen our product and service offering to both the mortgage and intermediated markets.”
Notes to Editors
Company Background
Direct Group has grown rapidly since its launch in 1990 and was subject to a management buyout in August 2007; the management team acquired the business with the backing of Lloyds Development Capital and Barclays Bank. This deal will be a launch pad for rapid growth for Direct Group as it plans to treble over the next three years through acquisition and organic growth.
Millennium Insurance Brokers Ltd was established in 1996, and is a CII Chartered Insurance Broker and member of BIBA.
Company Vision and Culture
As a Managing General Agent (MGA), Direct Group aims to be the leading insurance services provider to the UK financial services marketplace. This vision is based around a philosophy of “treating customers and partners as we would expect to be treated ourselves”. The high quality of service offered by Direct Group is supported by a scalable and robust business platform which not only provides Clients’ and Insurers’ with unparalleled quality of management information but also provides the basis for expansion into new products and new market sectors.
Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities.
The services offered by Direct Group include product design, account development and training, policy administration, premium collection, claim handling and sales, insurer and captive reporting.
Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA.
For further information please contact Hilary Thompson, Communications Officer, at hilarythomspon@directgroup.co.uk or by telephone on 01302 380302.
Website: www.directgroup.co.uk
