25. Pinnacle Insurance (BNP Paribas)

Pinnacle Insurance

Gross written premiums less treaty (2000): £155.1m
Year established: 1971
Address:
Pinnacle House
A1 Barnet Way
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 2XX
Tel: 020 8207 9000
Fax: 020 8207 6222
Email: info@pinnacle.co.uk
Website: www.pinnacle.co.uk

History: Formed in 1971, Pinnacle Insurance, is one of the UK's leading providers of creditor, warranty and special risks insurance. Pinnacle's parents are Cardif, one of Europe's leading insurance providers, which itself is part of the global banking group, BNP-Paribas.

Under the stewardship of joint CEOs Chris Schwick and Norman Shuker, Pinnacle has established itself as a broad based supplier of financial services, including a joint venture vehicle, Pinnacle Partnerships, a call centre and outsourcing company, Financial Telemarketing Services (FTS), and Pinnacle Investments, an investment bonds and traditional savings operation.

Chief officers: Norman Shuker and Christopher Schwick
Biographies: Christopher Schwick joined Financial Insurance group in 1974 as a regional sales manager. Norman Shuker qualified as an actuary in 1977. After working for Cannon Lincoln and then with Hymans-Robertson, he joined FIG in 1983. Both men moved up to board level and were involved in an unsuccessful management buyout.

UK branch offices: None
UK staff: 520
UK general insurance agents: None
UK general insurance `club style' agents: None
Main classes of general insurance business: Creditor, warranty, medical cash plans, sports injury and pet healthcare.

Key general insurance personnel:
Stephen D Williams, joint managing director
Christopher Mills, joint managing director
Tony Dreyor, group finance director
Kathy Byrne, actuarial director