Double joy for Bridge Insurance Brokers
NORTH West insurance broker Bridge is celebrating a double boost in its milestone 40th year.
The 100-strong company, based on Charlotte Street in Manchester, has been named Independent Regional Broker of the Year at the Insurance Times Awards 2010.
In their citation, the judges said: “The winner showed independent broking at its very best. Bridge is a big part of its local community and works hard to understand its clients’ needs and to develop service that beats bigger brokers.”
In addition to this honour, Bridge has also been awarded chartered status by the industry’s Chartered Insurance Institute for reaching and sustaining the highest professional standards.
Chairman Roger Potts, who joined the firm from Willis two years ago, and received the Insurance Times award from TV and radio presenter Chris Evans said: “Winning the award is a great achievement for the team that makes Bridge what it is.
“It rounds off another successful year in the growth and development of the company”.
Mr Potts said despite consolidation in the sector – which has seen a number of prominent regional firms bought out larger organisations – Bridge is determined to remain “fiercely independent.”
“We are determined to continue to grow the business, and are continuing our succession planning so Bridge can retain this Independence.”
Looking ahead Mr Potts said Bridge, which is owned by founders Gilbert Cohen and Michael Backner, is “cautiously optimistic” over prospects for 2011.
“We have some exciting investment plans for the New Year, we have had a good 2010 – we are exactly where we wanted to be, We are a small management team which means we can really keep our fingers on the pulse and know what’s happening in the business.”
Bridge, he said, had invested significantly in the last year on IT – including a move to a ‘cloud’ based system, which was proving popular among both staff and clients.”
