HIGHLY COMMENDED: Broker Insights

What key achievement did your entry highlight?

In 20 months since launching the platform, we have built strong insurer partnerships with the likes of AXA, Zurich, Hiscox, QBE, NIG, Ecclesiastical, RSA and others. At the same time, we have signed up over 230 broker offices who manage and place c£550m of commercial GWP on behalf of their customers. During Covid-19 and lockdown, we have continued to add c8 brokers and c£30m commercial GWP per month to the platform. We have also seen usage of the platform from our c1000 active users increase by over 70% in the last four months. This growth and adoption are testament to the demand for our proposition. Through our partnership approach, we developed a 'note of interest' function within the platform that allows insurers to express interest in specific broker customer risks through the platform to broker handlers based on their risk searching work within the platform. This is supporting brokers to quickly understand insurer partners who are interested in writing certain customer risks from their 'note of interest' activity much more efficiently.

Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?

"A fantastic platform run by great people. Broker Insights offers a big step forward into what trading can be like when the power of technology supports it" - Isha Patel, Area Director - South, Hiscox.

"Broker Insights is a no-brainer for all Independent Insurance Brokers. It provides real focus to our meetings with their Insurer Partners - saving time on new business discussions. It gives us time to focus on building the relationship with Insurers that want to work with us based on our business. It's not a question of why should you get on-board, more a question of why wouldn’t you?" - Mike Connor, AIB

"The Broker Insights platform helps build on existing broker relationships.We have a greater understanding of their business and opportunities, which is shaping more timely and productive conversations with the account execs in these offices. Not only does the platform help us win existing broker clients - it puts us in the spotlight for their new business opportunities too." - Sophie Snook, Zurich

What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?

Broker Insights is a relationship-enhancing business facilitating better connections between brokers and insurers through the application of data and technology. We are modernising a traditional market while respecting and complimenting insurers and brokers roles in the commercial insurance distribution chain. From the moment we launched the platform, we have continued to work closely with our partner insurers and brokers to deliver new features, functionality, and a better user experience. We have done this by having a shared vision and roadmap for the platform's evolution coupled with lots of user engagement - tracking agreed success criteria, supported by training and regular communications which are all delivered by our dedicated customer success team across the UK.

How will you celebrate if you are the victor?

A massive party!

WINNER: Shepherd

What key achievement did your entry highlight?

Shepherd's technology enabled a major shift in how the property’s risk, operating costs and energy consumption was managed. Insight across the building from continuously monitoring collecting vast amounts of data round the clock enabled English Heritage to better understand usage patterns hence reduced operational expenses with less need to call out emergency repairs and less business disruption. Whilst being responsible for protecting the irreplaceable artifacts and contents Kenwood House also relies on their income therefore the building needs to be open and operational with their assets protected and maintenance costs reduced. Shepherd enables them to do a much better job on both of these fronts.

Can you share data or testimonials to back up your bid to win?

Nicholas Hartley, Ecclesiastical Insurance group “Working with Shepherd has been a great experience. Their knowledge and problem-solving can-do mindset have helped broaden our minds to what’s possible. Our work serves as a powerful demonstration of true partnership between a technology company, an established insurer and its customer.” Nicola Duncan-Finn, English Heritage “There are many blind spots within our building and technology can help us get much better visibility. Shepherd’s technology has great potential to improve our fire, security and energy management and provide hugely valuable insight.”

What sets your firm apart from the other shortlisted contenders?

Partnerships are at the heart of everything that Shepherd do meaning that every element of our approach is centered around ensuring that ourselves, our partners and their customers are all aligned with the same vision to secure a successful outcome. The depth and breadth of Shepherd's analytic insight adds a new lens for insurers and property owners to

How will you celebrate if you are the victor?

Along with the Shepherd team we will certainly share this triumph with Ecclesiastical and English Heritage as this is a project that we have all worked together on.