42. Folgate Insurance Company

Folgate Insurance Company

Gross written premiums less treaty (2000): £48m

Year established: 1877
Address: Folgate House
Upton Road, Poole
Dorset
BH17 7AG
Tel: 01202 668 066
Fax: 01202 634 087
Email: enquiries@folgate.co.uk
Website: www.folgate.co.uk

History: Established originally as the Horse & Carriage Insurance Company in 1877, its heritage gives Folgate Insurance Company over 120 years of experience. With its Head Office in Poole, Dorset, Folgate is a recognised specialist insurer for the more mature policyholder.

The company prides itself on its "broker only" status. The year 1999 was a landmark one in the evolution of Folgate, when it established a Commercial Lines division.

Since December 1993, Folgate had been a wholly owned subsidiary of the Stuttgart based financial services group Württembergische AG. In July 1999, Württembergische completed a merger of equals with the Wüstenrot Financial Services Group. Now Folgate has been sold to Towergate

Chief officer: Chris Garland, managing director
Biography: Garland joined Folgate in 1977 after a successful 10 year career with a top London Lloyd's insurer. His first appointment was Underwriting and managing director of the City office until 1992, when he was appointed general manager at our head office in Poole. In 1996, he was promoted to managing director and his leadership skills continue to be instrumental in the successful evolution of Folgate.

Key general insurance personnel:
Chris Garland, managing director
Darryl Clark, deputy managing director
David Drew, commercial insurance director
Mike Fenton, personal lines director

Main classes of general insurance business: Home, motor, travel and commercial.