Groupama Insurances grows schemes team

9 April 2008

Sarah Stephen appointed Schemes Underwriting Manager

In a further boost to its commercial schemes business, Groupama Insurances has appointed Sarah Stephen to the newly created role of Schemes Underwriting Manager. Reporting to Malcolm Smith, Commercial Insurances Manager, Sarah's appointment reflects the growing significance of commercial schemes within Groupama's business portfolio.

Malcolm Smith comments: "Sarah's appointment is another clear demonstration of our commitment to give brokers and intermediaries access to the skills and expertise needed to really exploit the opportunities available within the niche area of commercial schemes. Her role will enable us to respond quickly to opportunities and really reinforces the message that Groupama is becoming a formidable player within this specialist field with the skills and resources to make commercial schemes an even greater success."

Sarah brings over 14 years insurance industry experience and joins Groupama Insurances from Towergate where she was the new business team manager for their Commercial Property Owners Zone. Previously she held commercial lines and personal lines management and underwriting positions with NIG, Norwich Union and Royal and Sun Alliance.

Sarah will be responsible for the overall management and development of schemes business, heading up a team that now comprises 9 specialist schemes underwriters. She will ensure a continuing focus on the profitability of individual schemes and will also play a key part in developing new business propositions in liaison with Groupama's sales and development team.

Malcolm Smith concludes: "Sarah will be a major asset to the team and will help to ensure that our business partners both realise and maximise the opportunities offered by commercial schemes. This has become an important area of business for Groupama and we intend to build on our strong portfolio of schemes business to fully exploit its future potential."

Ends

April 2008

Notes to editors

Groupama Insurances is one of the UK's leading general insurers. The UK group offers motor, home and health insurance and also provides insurance protection to a growing number of smaller UK businesses. The company employs 800 staff in 6 centres and is an accredited 'Investor in People'.

Award winning

Groupama Insurances was winner of the 'Claims Initiative of the Year' Award in the 2007 British Insurance Awards, 'Company of the Year' Award in the Insurance Day Awards 2005, winner of the 'E-Business Award' in the British Insurance Awards 2005 and in both 2005 and 2006 was 'Highly Commended' in category for 'General Insurer of the Year'. Groupama Healthcare won the "Most Innovative New Product" Award at the 2006 Health Insurance Awards.

Groupama is a previous winner of the 'Underwriter of the Year' award in the British Insurance Awards and has twice been voted 'Underwriting Team of the Year' at the Insurance Day Awards. In addition, the UK Group has been awarded 'Insurer of the Year' at the Bodyshop Magazine Awards and was 'Highly Commended' in the National Business Awards 2005 in the Best Use of Technology category.

An impressive pedigree

Groupama Insurances is part of European financial services giant Groupama, an international business that generates annual revenues in excess of 14billion Euros.

Groupama is one of Europe's largest mutuals, the second insurer in France for marine and transport and the country's number one agricultural and individual health insurer.

Visit www.groupama.co.uk or www.groupama.com for the worldwide group

For further press information please contact Alison Reeson, Louise Fowler or Elinor Puzey at HSL on 020 8977 9132 or at hsl@harrisonsadler.com