Martin Church - Protecting the protector

Describe your company and your role within it.

Church: Formed in 1980, BBC Fire Protection has grown to become one of the leading independent suppliers in the fire protection industry. From hospitals to heritage buildings, distribution warehouses to department stores and manufacturing facilities to hotels, BBC Fire Protection provides an installation and formulate service as well as maintenance plans to meet our customers' varying needs.

My role is that of company secretary and I am responsible to the board for all finance and administration functions, including the introduction and support of information technology systems.

Who looks after the insurance side of the business? What policies do you purchase?

Church: I am responsible for the placement of all the firm's insurance requirements with the assistance of the company's brokers. Cover comprises commercial combined, public liability, product liability - including product efficacy - professional indemnity, contract works, motor vehicles, commercial legal expenses, employment practices and directors' and officers' liability.

How significant is insurance to your business?

Church: Ensuring the company carries the right level of insurance cover is often a fundamental requirement to enable the company to obtain and indeed maintain a large element of its business. For this reason, insurance within the company is seen very much as an essential part of the business and not just a simple administrative legal requirement.

Without having the correct insurance cover already in place, we would be unable to tender many of the sales enquiries that are received by the company. Given the type of business the company is involved in, it is vital that financial protection is available to cover any possible claims that could arise.

There is satisfaction from the thought that you are assisting the sales team in successfully obtaining orders for the company and also providing the company's shareholders with confidence that their asset, the company, is being well protected.

Describe the relationship with your broker.

Church: It was back in the autumn of 1997 when I first received a call from Norwich-based Knowlden Titlow asking if they could assist with our insurance portfolio. While we had been with our previous broker for in excess of 15 years, I believed there was a need for change and accepted Knowlden Titlow's offer of a presentation.

The meeting was duly convened and from that time onwards I have always admired the honesty and motivation of our broker and its staff. Having been convinced of the need for change, I made a presentation to the board and can remember our late chairman saying at that meeting: "If you're not happy with our current broker then it's your call Martin. Just make sure it is the right decision."

Knowlden Titlow has supported the company whenever it has been needed and provided answers at short notice, especially when seeking confirmation of insurance cover required against a customer tender. At renewal, our broker prepares an insurance register summarising our current cover, including a review of the past year and making suggestions for the one coming. This is completed well in advance of renewal, allowing sufficient time for consideration and future planning. Prior to my involvement with them, there did not seem a day go by when I was not in some way dealing with an insurance problem.

With the assistance of Knowlden Titlow, I am pleased that the amount of time spent on dealing with insurance matters has reduced greatly. This, together with the knowledge that our broker is always available to answer my calls and is aware of the need to obtain the best possible terms available at renewal, provides me with the confidence needed to continue with what has been a very successful partnership.