38. Windsor
Fee and comm income (2001): £14.0m

38. Windsor
Fee and comm income (2001): £14.0m

Pre-tax profit (2001): £2.7m

Address: 2 America Square
London
EC3N 2LV
Tel: 020 7133 1200
Fax: 020 7133 1500

Email: info@windsor.co.uk

Website: www.windsor.co.uk

History: Windsor is a long established Lloyd's insurance broker that wrote commercial and marine insurance at the beginning of the century. The recent renaissance in the company's fortunes dates from the appointment of David Low as chief executive in 1996.

A root-and-branch restructuring of the group followed and has led to the creation of an independent broker, focused on a number of specialist markets and comprising five principle operating divisions.

These are; professional indemnity, commercial, sport, financial services, aviation and others. This diversity has meant that, despite the difficult trading conditions that have characterised the insurance market in recent years, Windsor has been successful in both developing business and improving profitability year on year. Such diversity also encourages valuable cross referrals and this is becoming an increasingly important feature of the group's development.

In recent years, the company has been able to invest heavily in information technology, enabling the group to cut costs while delivering an improved service to its clients. B2Binsured, the group's online service for independent brokers, is currently being marketed.

Chief officer: David Low, chairman and managing director

Biography: David Low has more than 40 years' experience in the insurance market. He built Regis Low, a Lloyd's insurance broking company, into an operation with a turnover of £25m, which he sold to Steel Burill Jones.

After an absence of three years from the industry, he acquired a 12% holding in Windsor and joined the main board in July 1996 as chairman. He assumed the combined role of chairman and chief executive in January 1997.

Technology: Windsor worked closely with software suppliers to launch B2Binsured, a comprehensive system that will allow brokers to place business and produce the required documentation online.

Major shareholders: DH Low, Abtrust Fund Managers, Jupiter Asset Manangement

Main lines of business: Commercial, professional indemnity, sport, financial services, aviation and international.

Number of UK branches: 3

Number of employees (average for 2001): 159

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