When Foster the vulture created a flap by escaping from a Norfolk zoo, one company had more reason than most to keep a beady eye on the bird's plight.
Staff at Bury St Edmunds broker Alliance Insurance manage the corporate risk management contract for Foster and his zoo.
Alliance managing director John McLaren-Stewart takes up the story: "When one of my colleagues started talking about insurance and vultures, I thought he was making an ascerbic comment about the state of the industry. It was only later that the penny dropped."
Foster enjoyed near-celebrity status by evading capture for seven days, until his handler coaxed him down from his temporary perch on a vicarage rooftop and back to the safety of Banham Zoo. Foster's happy landing was also good news for Alliance since it didn't have to pay out for any claim.
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.
