<strong>Bennett Christmas Celebrates 50 Years and Announces </strong><strong>Corporate Restructure and Growth Plans</strong>

Independent Burgess Hill-based insurance brokers, underwriters and risk management consultants, Bennett Christmas have appointed Tom Stripp as Managing Director this month. The appointment comes during the group’s fiftieth year of trading, as part of a dynamic re-structure which has included several senior appointments and the announcement of an ambitious five-year expansion plan.

The appointment expands Tom’s position as Managing Director of BC Underwriting (part of the Bennett Christmas Group) to Managing Director of the Bennett Christmas Group, which includes the Commercial and Personal Lines insurance broking business, BC Underwriting and BC Risk Management. With more than 15 years of experience in the broking and underwriting sector, Tom has overseen BC Underwriting for three years and has successfully grown the business from a team of two to 14 during that time.

Chief Operations Officer, Roger Christmas, said: <em>“Bennett Christmas is and always has been about our people and customers. This restructure places an even greater emphasis on these areas, with Tom leading the team and bringing a fresh, younger perspective to the business. </em>

<em>With this appointment, David Christmas will take on the new role of Broking Director and David Porter assumes a team role of Senior Technical Broker. We feel this demonstrates our commitment to our customers as well as our relationships with our insurer partners. </em>

The news comes just months after Julia Crow from Slade Edwards Insurance Brokers was added to the Bennett Christmas team as Operations Manager, and Helen Sundaram joined as Marketing Manager.

Chief Executive Officer, Mark Bennett, added: <em>“We’re extremely proud of our heritage as one of Mid Sussex’s leading community brokers and it’s fitting that we announce our growth plans and restructure as we celebrate our 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary. The journey continues and we embrace the challenges and changes that will no doubt lie ahead.”</em>

Managing Director, Tom Stripp, also commented: <em>“We have a great team here at Bennett Christmas and our growth plans promise career opportunities not only for our staff but for the wider community and the UK as a whole, as we create new roles to bring in more good people from across the country.</em>

<em>”In an industry dominated by online insurance providers we deliver a vital service to our customers - demystifying the market, doing the leg work and having their back in a claim. In short, we save them time and take the stress out of buying insurance”.</em>

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