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Be Wiser Insurance is an insurance broker, founded in 2007. The company is Financial Conduct Authority approved and a member of the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA).[1] They offer a range of insurance products from a panel of UK insurers covering car, bike, van, domestic, business and commercial insurance.
| Industry | Insurance |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Andover, England |
| Products | Car/Van/Bike/Home Insurance |
| Website | https://www.bewiser.co.uk/ |
Staff, Training and Development edit
Be Wiser Insurance is based in Andover.[2][3] Their headquarters were officially opened by Sir George Young, 6th Baronet.[4] The current number of employees totals over 600 staff in six offices across Andover, Hampshire.[5]
The company opened a new office in Swindon in June, 2016, promising 350 new jobs for the area.[6]
Be Wiser has 280 Apprentices and is one of the UK's Top 100 Apprenticeship Providers.[7][8] In 2014 Be Wiser was rewarded nationally for their apprenticeship programmes; HeadStart, FreshStart, SureStart and KickStart.[9][10] As well as providing professional training and development for its employees Be Wiser also trains and develops external candidates from across the Insurance sector through its Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) training centre.[11]
Be Wiser are the first insurance broker to have developed a BA (Hons) Insurance Degree Programme,[12] thanks to the introduction of The Be Wiser Uni for Insurance (BUFI)[13] whose degree programme is accredited by The University of Chichester. BUFI also incorporates Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeships.
Awards edit
- 2011,[14] 2012,[15] 2013,[16] Be Wiser ranked in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 Awards for privately owned companies, sponsored by the Virgin Group.
- In 2012 Be Wiser was ranked in the Business Magazine Solent Top 250 private companies,[17] receiving the "Rising Star of the Year" Award for recognition of staff training and investment.
- 2013 The Sunday Times PwC Profit Track 100 awards
- 2014 Winners of the National Apprenticeship Award & Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers [18]
- 2014 Winners of the Insurance Times Training Excellence & Impact Award [19]
- 2015 Winners of the Rolls-Royce Award for Newcomer Large Employer of the Year[20][21]
- 2016 UK Broker Awards - Broker Personality of Year (Mark Bower-Dyke)
- 2017 Winners of the Insurance Times Excellence In Training - Broker Award[22]
- 2017 Winner of the Inspire 17 Apprentice of the Year Award[23]
- 2018 Winners of the Insurance Times Excellence In Professional Development Award[24]
- 2020 Winners of the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award[25]
Sponsorship edit
Be Wiser Insurance has sponsored several sports teams and events.
Be Wiser Ducati (2016 - 2019) edit
Be Wiser Insurance sponsored a British Superbike Racing Team Be Wiser Ducati[26] - owned by Paul Bird Motorsport.
The 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons featured Shane "Shakey" Byrne and Glenn Irwin riding a Ducati Panigale R[27] for the team, with Glenn's younger brother Andrew Irwin joining the team as a replacement rider for the injured Shakey in the 2018 season.
The 2019 season saw a completely new line up for the team,[28] with 2015 BSB winner[29] Josh Brooks and MotoGP rider Scott Redding joining the PBM Be Wiser Ducati Race Team. The 2019 season saw not only new riders for the team, but a new bike, with both riders climbing aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R.[30]
Be Wiser concluded its partnership with the PBM Ducati Racing Team in 2019, with their final season as sponsor seeing Scott Redding win the BSB Championship.[31]
Be Wiser Kawasaki (2012 - 2015) edit
Previously, the company sponsored a Superstock (2013–14) and later, a British Superbike Racing (2015) Team - Be Wiser Kawasaki. The team was managed by previous British Superbike Champion 2011, Tommy Hill, with riders[32] consisting of Chris Walker (motorcycle racer) and Danny Buchan.[33] The team rode a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - notable for its unusual yellow and black livery.[34] Be Wiser Kawasaki withdrew from the 2015 BSB season due to lack of financial backing.[35]
Other Sponsorship edit
- 2008 - Current. Sponsors & supporters of Newbury Race Course Annual Race Day at Newbury Racecourse[36]
- 2012 - 2018. Match day sponsors and club partner of Reading Football Club[37][38]
- 2012 - 2014. Kawasaki Superstock Series [39]
- 2015. Be Wiser Kawasaki British Super Bikes [40][41]
- 2015 April. Newbury Race Course, Spring Cup
- 2015 June. Hampshire PGA Stroke Play Championships[42]
- 2015 - Current. Be Wiser Ducati BSB Racing Team.
- 2015 - 2016. National Badminton League[43]
- 2017 - Current. Star Sixes Tournament[44][45][46]
- 2015 - Current. Hawkstone International Motocross[47]
- 2016 - Current. Swindon Town FC[48]
- 2016 - Current. All-Weather Championships[49][50]
Be Wiser Owl edit
Be Wiser's Owl is a recognised face across the country. As part of their 10th anniversary, the Be Wiser Owl could also be seen on Europe’s largest freestanding LED advertising boards.[51]
During 2017 Be Wiser donated small torches and reflective stickers featuring its distinctive owl logo to local schools.[52]
Charity Support and Fundraising Activities edit
Be Wiser Insurance has been involved in several fundraising activities, including:
- 2019/20 support of three charities: Andover Mind, RSPCA North Wiltshire and Ronald McDonald House Charities UK
- 2018/19 support of four charities: Salisbury District Stars Appeal, Macular Society, Blue Cross and Cheery Boxes
- 2017/18 support of three charities: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance,[53] Brighter Futures and Alzheimer's Research UK - Various fundraising activities raising over £9,000[54]
- 2016/17 support of three charities: The British Heart Foundation, Naomi House and The Countess of Brecknock Hospice - Various fundraising activities raising over £9,000[55]
- Test Valley Arts Foundation "Andover Voices and Stories" [56]
- The Andover Young Carers awarded £2000 by Be Wiser Insurance [57]
- Be Wiser Insurance has raised a total of £2,086 for The British Heart Foundation and The British Lung Foundation[58]
Coverbox acquisition edit
Telematics insurer went into administration in July 2019 and Be Wiser incorporated its customer base into their Drive Wiser branding.[59]
References edit
- ^ Be Wiser Insurance joins BIBA – 15 September 2014
- ^ Be Wiser posts drop in profit as turnover increases by £4m
- ^ New HQ for Be Wiser opened – 17 September 2014
- ^ Sir George opens Insurance Head Office – 17 September 2014
- ^ - About Be Wiser Insurance
- ^ "Jobs come to Swindon as insurance firm Be Wiser opens its doors". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Be Wiser is one of the UK's Top 100 Apprenticeship Providers
- ^ Andover Insurance broker seeks apprentices – 29 May 2014
- ^ "Winner of Employer of the Year Award, Inspire Business Awards". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Growing insurance firm prepares for the future – 6 April 2014
- ^ Introducing the Wiser Academy – 12 Day CII Certification Training To Change the Insurance Industry - 10 June 2014
- ^ Lucas, Paul. "UK's first ever insurance degree launches". Insurance Business. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Degree Programme - Career Wiser". Career Wiser | Recruitment. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "2011 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 - Rank: 13 Be Wiser Insurance". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "2012 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 - Rank: 45 Be Wiser Insurance". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "2013 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 - Rank: 78 Be Wiser Insurance". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ The Solent 250 Awards 2014 - 15 December 2014
- ^ National Apprenticeship Awards Win for Be Wiser – 6 October 2014
- ^ Insurance Times Training Excellence & Impact Award 2014
- ^ "National Apprenticeship Awards 2015 - winners announced". GOV.UK. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser Insurance wins National Apprenticeship Award". Be Wiser Insurance. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Winners". Insurance Times Awards 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ INSPIRE (29 November 2017). "INSPIRE17 Winners Awarded at Glittering Ceremony". INSPIRE19. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Winners". IT Awards 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser Receives Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2020". Be Wiser Insurance. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ "British Superbikes | Paul Bird Motorsport | Ford EcoBoost Championship". www.pbmuk.net. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ www.ducati.com, Ducati Motor Holding -. "Ducati Superbike Panigale R - Ducati". www.ducati.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "BSB news - Josh Brookes joins Scott Redding with switch to Be Wiser Ducati". Eurosport UK. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Brookes wins epic duel with Shakey to win first MCE BSB crown". news.msv.com. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Gallery: Redding and Brookes test Panigale V4 R". Motorcycle News. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "PBM And Be Wiser Insurance - Announcement". Be Wiser Insurance. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ Meet the Be Wiser Kawasaki Team
- ^ "Be Wiser Kawasaki 2015 Rider Line-Up – Chris Walker and Danny Buchan - 6 November 2014". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Be Wiser Kawasaki ZX-10R Livery
- ^ Ltd., Crash Media Group. "Be Wiser Kawasaki withdraws from rest of BSB season | BSB News". Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Be Wiser Insurance Celebrates 5th Birthday with a Day at the Races - 18 June 2012
- ^ Royals announce Be Wiser deal – 31 July 2014
- ^ Reading F.C. Advertising Partners
- ^ Be Wiser Kawasaki Superstock Team Launched - 18 March 2013
- ^ Be Wiser Kawasaki set for 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship – 1 October 2014
- ^ Be Wiser Insurance moves onto the racetrack – 24 November 2014
- ^ "Hampshire PGA 2015 Fixtures Diary - 5 March 2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Be Wiser new insurance partner for AJ Bell National Badminton League - Badminton England". www.badmintonengland.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Event | Scotland | Star Sixes". Star Sixes MAIN. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ Gangcuangco, Terry. "Be Wiser Insurance partners with tournament featuring Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand". Insurance Business. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser Backs Star-studded Football Tournament". Be Wiser Insurance. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Home". Hawkstone MX International. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Swindon Town FC renews partnership with Be Wiser Insurance". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser | Sponsor | All Weather Championships | A". www.awchampionships.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "TV Racing Expert Simon Mapletoft Joins The Be Wiser Team". Be Wiser Insurance. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ InsuranceEdgeEditor (1 November 2017). "Be Wiser Shifts Advertising Campaign Into Top Gear". Insurance Edge. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser and be seen: insurance company hands out torches and reflective stickers to pupils". Andover Advertiser. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser are proud to support Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in RideOut charity events". Be Wiser Insurance. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Be Wiser Charity Work 2017/18" (PDF).
- ^ "Be Wiser Charity Work 2016/17" (PDF).
- ^ Andover Voices and Stories - 21 August 2014
- ^ Be Wiser Supports Young Carers Charity - 21 November 2014
- ^ Fun Raising Times Nets Donation for Be Wiser Charities – 20 August 2014
- ^ Ruel2019-08-15T22:54:00+01:00, Clare. "Be Wiser nets 10,000 customers as telematics broker falls into administration". Insurance Times. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
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