CII signs flagship deal with Towergate

Towergate will become a flagship partner of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), and the largest independent broker to gain Chartered status.

As a CII flagship partner, Towergate will become a gold sponsor of the CII Talent Initiative and work with them to develop a complete training and competency programme within the company to complement Towergate's own Academy.

Executive chairman Peter Cullum, who himself was, at 21, the youngest to pass FCII examinations said: "I have always been a firm believer in the value of professional qualifications and that you 'get out what you put in', so am committed to the CII. We want to instil a culture of excellence which every member of staff will feel proud to be associated with.

"With the UK suffering from a major skills shortage which is affecting the global competitiveness of UK business, it is imperative that Towergate becomes a beacon for talent for those seeking a career in financial services."

CII sales and marketing director Lee Gladwell said: "Towergate is one of the most entrepreneurial and successful companies to appear in the insurance space for many years. We are delighted to have the company join us as a flagship partner and for the company to achieve Chartered status.

"We will develop a number of new initiatives over the coming year in partnership with Towergate that will champion skills and professionalism for the whole industry."

Towergate has one of the most qualified board of directors in the country, with all of their Executives having achieved ACII, FCII, or Chartered professional status. Chief Executive, Andy Homer, was President of the CII in 2002/3 and a founding member of the Insurance Broking Faculty board.

Towergate over 3000 insurance employees, and all will become new members of the CII under the arrangement. Towergate employs 1,700 customer-facing staff in their retail businesses and expects tol grow this to over 2,000 in the near future.