From small, start-up insurer, to one of the UK’s largest and most successful insurance intermediaries with over 1,700 colleagues
BGL Insurance (BGLi), a leading digital distributor of personal lines insurance, is this month celebrating its 30-year anniversary. From a journey that began in 1992 with the launch of a call centre in Peterborough, when the business was known as Budget, BGLi has grown to become one of the UK’s largest and most successful insurance intermediaries, with almost three million customers and 1,700 colleagues across three UK sites.
Most recently, BGLi celebrated another strong year of profit growth and in April, its acquisition by Markerstudy Group was finalised. Now, with an ongoing and ambitious growth agenda as part of a much larger group, BGLi has plans to recruit a further 300 colleagues across the business in 2023. Over the next month, BGLi will be gifting free insurance to the 30 Budget Insurance customers who have held a policy with the business since launch, as well as recognising its longest serving colleagues. More widely, BGLi will be arranging gifts and surprises, aiming to make it a ‘December to Remember’ for colleagues.
Peter Thompson, CEO of BGL Insurance, said: “The company was founded by a South African entrepreneur and that innovative spirit remains. Now, as part of a much larger group, with strong financial backing, the opportunities ahead for BGLi are extremely exciting. Having begun as a single insurance brand, we now operate and look after more than 11 brands within our operation, representing every stage of an insurance customer’s ‘journey’, from buying a policy, to making a claim. Not only are we incredibly proud of our customer service – with feedback hitting record levels this year, but our passion to provide very real and exciting career opportunities, continues to help us stand out in a crowded recruitment environment.”
Since its launch, BGL Insurance has donated millions of pounds to local and national good causes, with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity remaining a vital part of the company’s culture.
Peter added: “As a business, we are continually aiming to push the boundaries and strive for excellence and this could not be more true than with our charitable activity. The partnerships we’ve developed over the years have become far more than just a transactional relationship. In many cases, our charity links have resulted in colleagues forging long-term and personal friendships with charities and good causes close to their hearts. Earlier this year, 44 of our colleagues completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks, raising over £30k - contributing to over £300k in total donations for 2022 and we are just finalising new and exciting plans for next year. On so many different levels, 2023 promises to be truly exciting for BGL Insurance and so the phrase ’30 and fabulous’ definitely resonates.”