03/01/08
Managing health and safety - new responsibilities for employers

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act introduces a new offence, across the UK, for prosecuting companies and other organisations where there has been a gross failing, throughout the organisation, in the management of health and safety with fatal consequences.

Further information can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/manslaughterhomicideact07.pdf

17/12/07
Towergate Bid for Broker Network

Summary

• The Broker Network Board and the Towergate Board are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer to be made by Towergate for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Broker Network.
• Towergate is the UK's largest independently owned insurance intermediary, offering approximately 200 specialist insurance products and employing more than 3,400 people in 100 offices. Since its foundation in 1997, the Towergate Group has completed more than 130 acquisitions and now controls run-rate gross written premium of £1.1 billion per annum. In the year ending 31 December 2006, Towergate achieved revenues of £238 million and EBITDA of approximately £95 million.
• Towergate believes that the acquisition of Broker Network will provide Towergate with a large network presence in the UK and will be the foundation upon which the Towergate Directors expect to continue to expand the Towergate Group through additional network acquisitions. Towergate believes that Broker Network is an attractive and well-run business that has experienced growth in both its network and owned broker businesses and will therefore provide the foundation on which to continue its expansion.
• The Broker Network Directors, who have been so advised by Cenkos Securities Limited, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable.
• The Broker Network Directors unanimously recommend that Broker Network Shareholders accept the Offer, as they have irrevocably undertaken to do or to procure to be done in respect of their entire beneficial shareholdings and the shareholdings of any person whose interest in relevant securities a Broker Network Director is taken to be interested in pursuant to Part 22 of the Companies Act 2006, comprising in aggregate 3,815,588 Broker Network Shares, representing 24.8% per cent. of Broker Network's entire issued share capital.
• Commenting on the Offer, Peter Cullum, the Executive Chairman of Towergate, said:
  "We are delighted to announce this transaction. This is a deal that makes great sense for employees, brokers and customers alike of Broker Network - our two organisations complement each other perfectly. I have known Grant Ellis for many years and I know we both share the same passion for promoting the role and value of a broker.
  We also share the same enthusiasm for how Broker Network could flourish under our ownership and continue to be run as a first class business for its broker members. Grant Ellis’s proposed position as the Chairman of the Network Division of Towergate demonstrates our commitment to offering the leading UK network proposition.”
• Commenting on the Offer, Grant Ellis, the Chief Executive of Broker Network said:
  "The Broker Network Board feels that the offer made by Towergate is in the best interests of the Broker Network Shareholders and indeed in the best interests of the Broker Network business, its network members and its people too. Towergate is a major presence in the UK insurance market and joining forces with them presents Broker Network and its members with further opportunities to expand and prosper, which I'm very excited about."

07/12/07
Metal Thieves Target Churches

Ecclesiastical Insurance has received more than 90 claims in the past four-and-a-half months for theft of lead, copper and other metals from churches*.
Thieves have targeted churches in the Bristol, Sheffield and London areas, stealing lead cladding and guttering, copper piping, copper lightning conductors, and bronze statues and bells.
David Bonehill, Ecclesiastical’s chief claims manager, said: “The value of these materials for scrap is nothing compared to their value to the Church and community. These petty thieves are robbing our churches of irreplaceable heritage. One bell stolen this month dates from 1250. Communities need to rally round their churches, keeping an eye out and refusing to let thieves steal from under our noses.”
He offers this important advice for churches to prevent theft of materials:

• Make friends with your neighbours – they’re the very best people to keep an eye out
• Tell your neighbours when contractors will be visiting your Church
• Encourage everyone to alert the vicar, churchwardens or neighbours if they see workmen at a church unexpectedly
• Make the thieves' job more difficult – remove ladders to a secure place and consider using anti-climb paint.
  
• Don’t be afraid to dial 999.

18/07/07
WRS Supporting Faithwork Conference

WRS Limited are pleased to announce that they are supporting the Faithwork Conference by sponsoring a stream of seminars on “Change Agents: Changing Leadership” which is being led by Oasis Trust.

Chris Chapman of WRS Limited stated that “We are delighted to be supporting the Faithworks Conference and in particular the seminars led by Oasis Trust.  As Faithworks insurance broker’s, we have seen the development of community projects by visionary leaders.  These works have enhanced the lives of many and enrich the society we live in today.

Birthday Celebrations
WRS Insurance celebrates its 40th birthday this year.