The fifth annual SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards took place at Eton College Dorney Lake, Berkshire on the 6th July. Guests and award finalists were treated to a champagne reception before taking their seats and enjoying a welcome speech from the Benefact Group Chairman David Henderson. The exciting and elusively named ‘Once in a Lifetime’ award presentation followed and then the 150 guests enjoyed a delicious three course, luncheon in the striking boat house overlooking the venue of the rowing competition at the 2012 London Olympics.

SEIB would never have started, yet alone become the success story it is now without the winner of the first award of the day, the SEIB ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Award. Barry Fehler was delighted to receive this surprise award following the recent announcement that he is stepping back in his duties at SEIB. A short video was played highlighting the pioneering way in which Barry has driven SEIB over the years, including personal messages from those Barry has worked with throughout his career. SEIB’s new Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton, Bipin Thaker and Chairman of Benefact Group David Henderson presented Barry with a bespoke trophy to recognise his achievements. He remains a non-executive director at SEIB.

Barry Fehler said: “The award today was kept well hidden. I was caught out and lost for words. It was a relaxed afternoon that ran like clockwork. It was good to see such varied charities. It is promising for the future that no one was overlooked. The publicity for the smaller charities is wonderful. Hopefully they are now in a position to find out more about donations to small charities via the Movement for Good, and access it. People are getting the message about using the group for their insurance needs. At least if we make a return we can redistribute it again!

“The future of SEIB is bright, our business runs like a well-oiled machine. We will quietly grow acquiring more brokers with the same ethical standards. I went to Ecclesiastical – now the Benefact Group – when I decided to sell the business. They have provided a permanent home for both the business and the staff. At SEIB we have a great, stable team with no changes at the top which is very important. We have found with many companies there is a big tendency to go online for cheaper policies but at the end of the day the cover maybe restricted or there is no support when things go wrong. We find our customers appreciate the personal touch and to have a human being on the phone. We still have a receptionist in the office. By encouraging customers to speak to us we can tailor their cover. Equally, it is very important to have someone on the telephone on the claims side, if you place your business directly then you really are left to broker your own claim. Our obligation is always to the customer.

“I now plan to put my feet up! At home we have plenty of gardens and enough land to keep me out of mischief. There are still a few horses here. They are coloured cobs out in the field but they need looking after and the land needs to be topped and harrowed.”

Following lunch, Benefact’s Group Impact Director, Chris Pitt, gave a speech explaining just how the proceeds from businesses in the group are directed to good causes. This was aptly followed up by the presentation of the much-anticipated SEIB Charity Awards which granted precious funds totaling over £50,000 to 12 small and medium sized charities based across the UK.

Each finalist charity submitted a video detailing the work they do and how they bring a positive impact to those they help. The short videos, many of them very emotive were played to the awards guests. Following this, a draw was made for a guest to decide their favourite charity video. Barrow Farm Riding for the Disabled Centre was announced and they received a further £1,000 courtesy of the Benefact Group for the vital work they do. Equine wellbeing charity, World Horse Welfare took the top donation of £12,000 and the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund was the highest placed small charity receiving £11,000 to help fund the important work they do to support anyone injured in a horse related accident.

In the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with Horse & Hound, the skills, hard-work and talents found in leading equestrian establishments across the country were celebrated. Often referred to as the back-bone of the equestrian industry, the top Livery Yards, Riding Schools, competition venues and Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Centres were celebrated at the SEIB Awards. This is the first year the Yard of the Year Awards have run with the support of Horse & Hound.

The SEIB Star and Heroes Awards followed. Over the years, many loyal, hardworking and talented people have helped SEIB to become the success story that it is. Three special people were put forward to receive an award in this category at the 2022 SEIB Awards more about that later!

For the second year running, SEIB joined forces with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) for the final award of the day. The SEIB and NAFD Lifetime Achievement Award recognises someone for whom excellence in the funeral industry has become their life work. Paul Wilcox, who began working full-time at the family business, Wilcox Limousines back in 1971, and retired just at the beginning of this year was the winner of the 2022 award. Paul was unable to attend the awards on the day and so a pre-recorded presentation of the award was played to guests. Paul’s daughter and new managing director of Wilcox Limousines went up on stage to collect a duplicate of the award on behalf of her father.

SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton rounded off a busy afternoon with a speech thanking those that made the awards possible. Suzy summed up the day: “We had a lot to celebrate today both as a company and for those that have achieved so much in the industries within which we operate. It is fascinating to see in person the people from all walks of life that are touched by our awards. The diversity of the people and the animals benefiting from the work of the charities, the equestrian yards and funeral directors that we have celebrated today is fabulous to see. We are proud to be in a position to support and celebrate their non-stop hard work and determination. Congratulations to everyone that has received an award today.”

Having presented awards galore and congratulated many worthy winners throughout the afternoon, Bipin Thaker, Chief Operating Officer at SEIB said: “It was wonderful to see such a range of charities, small businesses and individuals being recognised and rewarded for their achievements. The impact each of the winners has had on their industries is quite remarkable when looking at the bigger picture. We are delighted to be supporting small charities – several of whom are just setting out. Their gratitude for this support is simply humbling.”

The SEIB Charity Awards

SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton, Chief Operations Officer, Bipin Thaker an Benefact Non-Executive Director, Rita Bajaaj presented a cheque for £12,000 and a commemorative plaque to Roly Owers for the highest placed charity, World Horse Welfare. A sum of £11,000 went to The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund as the highest placed small charity (with a turnover of less than £100,000). Trustee of The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund, David O’Donnell came up on stage to receive the cheque and plaque. Ten other charities reached the final voting stage of the SEIB Charity Awards and received a portion of a £29,000 from SEIB including £7,000 to the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, £6,000 to Animal Free Research UK and £5,000 to Barrow Farm Riding for the Disables centre. The final vote for the top 12 charities was limited to clients of SEIB.

Suzy Middleton said: “I am so very proud that at SEIB, with the support of our owners, Benefact Group, are in a position for our profits to go to good causes. It is so emotive to watch the short films that the finalist charities submit for our awards each year detailing the work they do. To be able to support and make even a small difference to the lives of those that these charities help is heart-warming. This year we have had the most diverse selection of charities yet as finalists in SEIB Giving.”

The SEIB Charity Awards have strict entry criteria; only small and medium charities are eligible. Any money granted by SEIB can be used as the charity sees fit and to cover running costs for the charity but it must be in the UK. In previous years the grant had to be awarded for a specific project. SEIB introduced this flexibility into the awards to ensure that the money granted will really make a difference following the hard times of Covid and now the series financial crises that we all find ourselves in.

The general public nominated their favourite charities in the first stage of the decision-making process for the 2022 SEIB Charity Awards before SEIB clients went on to have the final vote for winners of the £52,000. The Charities Trust provided SEIB with their help to carry out due diligence to ensure that each of the finalists met all criteria of the grant and are above board. SEIB works closely with the charitable sector and insures many charities and non-for-profit organisations, now enhanced through SEIB’s ownership of leading independent ethical broker, WRS Insurance Brokers.

Barry Fehler continued “We are delighted that our customers have decided which of these very worthy causes should receive the grant. SEIB is so successful because we are totally customer focused and this is another way that our clients can have their say”.

The other finalist charities were; Hope Rescue, SeeSaw, The Maggie Oliver Foundation, Ruils Independent Living, Been There, The Oli Hilsdon Foundation and The Candlelighters Trust.

Giving is embedded in the culture of SEIB. From supporting grass roots competition that gives opportunities to amateur riders that they could only otherwise dream about, right through to the company’s unwavering loyalty to promoting nationwide equine welfare. Whilst SEIB is an independent broker, the company is owned by the Benefact Group.