Gross written premium (1999):
Gross written premium (1999):
£384.7m
Parent:
Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS)
Year company established:
1867
UK head office:
Miller Street
Manchester
M60 0AL
tel: 0161 837 4100
fax: 0161 837 5881
email: cis@cis.co.uk
website:
www.cis.co.uk
Company history:
The Co-operative Insurance Society was founded in 1867 by pioneers of the UK co-operative movement.
Initially it provided commercial insurance for the growing number of co-operative retail societies. Then CIS began to offer life assurance in 1886, subsequently developing a range of personal insurance products. Its status as a company was changed to that of co-operative society in 1899, and from that date it began to transact industrial branch life assurance. Business rose dramatically as a result of the rapid development of a direct sales force. The large sales force serves nearly 3.5 million families. Long established as a major household and motor insurer, CIS is also a key provider in its other main areas of business – life assurance, mortgage lending, personal pensions and unit trusts including ISAs. CIS continues to deliver real value for its motor insurance customers
Chief officer:
David Hollas, chief general manager
Biography:
David Hollas was appointed chief general manager at CIS in 1997. He was previously a deputy chief general manager. He joined the society in 1964 and has held a number of senior management positions, including that of appointed actuary
UK branch offices:
129
UK staff:
10,500
UK general insurance agents:
4,000
Main classes of business:
property – 46.5%,
motor – 50.7%
liability 2.8%
Key general insurance personnel:
Martyn Bennett, general manager and actuary
David Briscall, assistant general manager
Bob Seedhouse, manager
Mike Harvey, manager
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
