The sixth annual SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards took place at Eton College Dorney Lake, Berkshire on the 4th July. This year’s awards enjoyed extra pizazz as part of the celebration for SEIB’s diamond anniversary. 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. Grace was touchingly sung by leading Welsh opera singers, Jessica Robinson and Emyr Jones. Following this the guests enjoyed a delicious three course luncheon in the striking boat house overlooking the venue of the rowing competition at the 2012 London Olympics.
There is much to celebrate for this award-winning broker in its’ 60th year. SEIB is entrenched in insuring businesses and individuals across the equestrian, funeral and private-hire sectors whilst SEIB owned companies, WRS Insurance Brokers specialise in the charity sector and Lansdown Insurance Brokers focus on property and personal insurance. SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer Suzy Middleton said: “Celebrating turning 60 is a major milestone for SEIB. Our annual awards have been such an opportunity to celebrate with and thank those that we work with, for their unwavering support over the years in helping SEIB to have grown into such a success story.
“Following the public nominations stage for SEIB Giving, it was encouraging to see so many of our customers engaging by voting for their favourite charity in the second round. Today has seen the £60,600 shared out between such a deserving variety of good causes. The publicity generated by SEIB Giving 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. We are proud to be a part of the wider Benefact group and in the position where our available proceeds go to good causes. ]
“Giving back and supporting welfare in the communities within which we operate and truly understanding their needs and values is key to the longevity of our business. The SEIB Yard of the Year and Funeral Directors Lifetime Achievement awards were set up to reward excellence within these communities and they have become aspirational for many that own and run businesses within these sectors. Here’s to the next 60 years for SEIB!”
Following lunch, Benefact Trust Director, Helen Gray, gave a moving speech on the Power of Charity and how charities have faced such challenging times over the past few years. This was aptly followed up by the presentation of the much-anticipated SEIB Charity Awards which granted precious funds totaling over £60,060 to 10 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. The top sum of £15,060 went to StreetVet, a charity that provides free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. Stoma support for children and young people charity, A Bear Named Buttony was the highest placed small charity, taking a donation of £12,060 back to their base in Aberdeenshire. Home for Good, a charity which sets out to find a home for every child that needs one through fostering, adoption and supported lodgings received a donation of £10,060. For the first time in 2023, SEIB Giving gave additional funds to a further five charities in recognition of the unrelenting need of so many small charities.
In the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, in association with British Equestrian and 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 British Equestrian. Head of Communications at British Equestrian, Winnie Murphy said: “”It’s been a privilege to be involved with the SEIB Yard of the Year Awards, so thank you to the SEIB team for their vision and support. Learning more about the fantastic work going on across our industry, the dedication involved and the communities the yards create is truly inspiring. Congratulations to all who were involved and especially our winners who certainly shone through.”
For the third 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. Trevor Hunnaball, of The Hunnaball Family Funeral Group who celebrated 65 years in the funeral industry in 2022 was delighted to go on stage to receive his award.
The SEIB You’re a Star Awards followed. Over the years, many loyal, hardworking and talented people have helped SEIB to become the success story that it is. The first winner in this category, SEIB’s Compliance Manager, Lena Quilley was followed on stage by showing producer, Katie Jerram-Hunnable and her husband, Chris Hunnable. This pair have provided unwavering support for SEIB Search for a Star for very nearly 30 years! The final award of the day then saw the late Her Majesty’s head groom, Terry Pendry up on stage.
SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton rounded off a busy afternoon of awards and diamond anniversary celebrations for SEIB with a speech thanking those that made the awards possible. Suzy summed up the day: “We had a lot to celebrate today both in reaching our 60th anniversary 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 and communities 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.”
Giving to others 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, giving to charity and supporting the funeral industry, SEIB are leading the way within the markets they operate.
There are lots of ways for people to get involved in charitable giving through SEIB and The Benefact Group. Each year, the Benefact Group run their Movement for Good Awards, which is their annual programme for giving. This year, they’ll be giving over £1million to charities and good causes. You can nominate a registered charity, not-for-profit organisation or community interest company in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man please visit www.movementforgood.com or for the Benefact Trust www.benefacttrust.co.uk.
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