Benefact grows broking and advisory division with addition of specialist charity broker

Benefact Group has expanded its broking and advisory division by adding Access Insurance to the group, a statement released today (29 January 2024) said. 

Access Insurance was registered as a company in November 1999 and formally began trading as a specialist underwriter in early 2000.

The business, which was founded by chief executive Simon Hickman and is based in South Croydon, was then established as a specialist broker and advisor to churches, charities and non-profit groups in 2002.

Benefact said the deal will strengthen its offering to the charity sector.

“Benefact is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and Access has long been committed to charitable giving with a big giving target, which is significantly enabled through this deal,” it added. 

Benefact broking and advisory chief executive David Moore said the move would also “strengthen our ability to help charities with in-depth sector specific advice and expertise”.

“This is an important milestone for us and we’re looking forward to supporting Access to achieve its ambitious growth plans,” he added. 

‘Natural fit’

Ecclesiastical Insurance Group was rebranded to Benefact Group in March 2022, then marking an “ambitious new chapter” for the group and its specialist businesses. 

Its broking and advisory division currently places over £300m of gross written premium (GWP). 

Additional businesses included in Benefact’s specialist insurance offering include Ecclesiastical UK, Ecclesiastical Ireland and Ecclesiastical Canada.

The group’s offering to the charity sector also includes insurance services through its Ansvar brands, EdenTree investment management and other broking businesses. 

Moore said “Benefact Group and Access are a natural fit”.

“Like all of our businesses the Access team have deep expertise in their markets and a strong ethical approach to serving customers and doing the right thing,” he added.

“Our values are strongly aligned, with an overarching purpose to contribute to the greater good of society.

“We’re delighted to welcome Simon and his team to the Benefact family.”

Hickman, meanwhile, said joining the group will help Access Insurance “continue our mission to build bespoke charity policies, offer independent advice and build on our culture of giving to charitable causes”.

“Having been long-term partners of Benefact Group and its insurers, we are excited to work alongside a group which shares in the vision and values that Access has,” he added. 

“Combining the strength of the Benefact family and Access’ own market growth will help us achieve our future plans to grow the company, which have always been in tandem with the aim to give more back to the sector.”