14. Swinton Group

Fee and commission income (2000): £61m
Pre-tax profit (2000): (£4m)

Head office:
Swinton House
6 Gt Marlborough Street
Manchester
M1 5SW
Tel: 0161 236 1222
Fax: 0161 237 9214
Website: swinton.co.uk

Major shareholders: MMA Insurance

Chief officer: Patrick Smith
History: Swinton was founded in Manchester in 1957 by Ken Scowcroft, specialising in car insurance. It expanded throughout the 1960s and 1970s with growth fuelled by a heavy commitment to advertising. In early 1988, a 50% shareholding was acquired by Royal & Sunalliance, with a gradual increase in shareholding taken to 100% in 1993.

Swinton opened a central telephone service unit in Stockport in May 1995, handling response to advertising. In 1998 and 1999, the company has withdrawn from franchising and all branches are now operated as owned. Swinton is an independent intermediary for general insurance business and deals with a large number of insurers and syndicates for motor household and other personal lines.

In May 2001, Royal & Sunalliance Insurance sold Swinton to personal and commercial lines insurer MMA Insurance.

Main lines of business: All personal lines insurance.