Heartland is delighted to have won this prestigious award which recognises the company's success and reflects the hard work of its entire staff.

Consolidation of the insurance market has strengthened the quality of the industry as a whole making it increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd.

While all brokers offer a range of products and a professional service few are focused on a defined service and product delivery.

Heartland has taken steps to identify its preferred customer by identifying its own personality and areas of expertise, this being converted into a brand and sales philosophy.

No longer is Heartland seen as the broker for all, but instead the partner for businesses that share its philosophy.

Heartland seeks clients that appreciate quality and service. A full client profitability analysis supported this strategy, confirming that the matching of client needs and buying attitudes with the skill set and beliefs of Heartland produces profitable business.

While the focused strategy has been a great success, nothing would have been achieved without the support and efforts of employees.

The key to the strategy lies with placing the well-being of staff before suppliers and customers.

Staff are offered a wide range of lifestyle opportunities including flexi-time, part-time, career breaks, study leave and share ownership.

This enlightened approach produces a very supportive environment and every employee benefits financially from a bi-annual profit share.

So not only have profits and turnover grown but Heartland remains an enjoyable place to work.