Lloyd’s broker to support £9.5m restoration project with Aviva and Axa help

BLW Insurance Brokers will help Barts Heritage embark on a £9.5m restoration project with the support of Aviva and Axa.

A statement released yesterday (30 November 2023) said BLW had joined Barts’ insurance initiative as the firm begun working on its Sharing Historic Barts programme.

This will see the repair and conservation of the Grade I-listed North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

Brett Sainty, BLW chief executive, said this ”was a complex and challenging risk management and placement programme that required the involvement of several different elements and partners across the London insurance market”.

“I am particularly grateful to our insurance partners at Aviva and Axa – their support, technical expertise, and willingness to back this vital project were essential to its successful placement,” Sainty added.

“Projects like this are ensuring the survival of some of the UK’s greatest buildings, this is very important to me.

“We have a responsibility within the insurance industry to facilitate these types of placements and to remember that our role includes enabling the provision of risk transfer to underpin the wider economic environment and not become a barrier to business trading and projects.

”We must strive to be more supportive of customers and good causes wherever possible.”

‘Grateful’

St Bartholomew’s Hospital is one of the oldest institutions in London, with it celebrating its 900th anniversary in 2023.

William Palin, Barts Heritage chief executive, said it was “appropriate that two of the UK’s leading insurers have stepped in to take on the risk of the building fabric and the contract works”.

”We are grateful to our brokers BLW and to the Listed Property Owners Club for helping us secure this cover and look forward to an enduring partnership,” he added.