SEIB Giving 2020/21

The fourth annual SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards took place at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on the 8^th September. Guests and award finalists were treated to a champagne reception and delicious three course, locally sourced, luncheon in the panoramic Cloud Pavilion overlooking the Dallas Burston polo pitches. Following lunch, the award ceremony was introduced via a moving talk from Ecclesiastical’s Head of Responsible Business, Chris Pitt.

The first awards presented celebrated the skills, hard-work and talents found in leading equestrian establishments with the SEIB Livery Yard, Riding School and Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Centre of the Year awards. Proceedings then moved on to the presentation of the much anticipated SEIB Charity Awards which granted precious funds to 10 small and medium sized charities.

The SEIB and Horseworld Trust Inspirational Award was then presented to the mastermind behind the Great Horses for Health Relay fundraising event which amongst several things aims to highlight the impact horses can have on mental health and wellbeing.

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 recognised another profession that has been hard hit by events of the past eighteen months.

SEIB’s Deputy Chairman, Barry Fehler said: “We have taken this opportunity to celebrate excellence within the industries we operate in. We are proud to be able to support these three different sectors that have felt the effects of the pandemic and provide some recognition of outstanding efforts within the charitable, funeral and equestrian industries.”

A memorable afternoon for all at the SEIB Awards was rounded off with guests being treated to watch a polo match for the SEIB Challenge Bowl on the pristine Dallas Burston turf. SEIB’s new Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton voiced the thoughts of many of those present in saying: “We were proud to be able to run the SEIB awards online in 2020, but as today has proved, there is nothing better than being able to get back out there in person, celebrating achievements together.”

Over 1,100 client nominations were made for yards, riding schools and RDA centres throughout the country for the 2021 SEIB Livery Yard, Riding School and RDA Centre of the Year awards.  Those nominated underwent a rigorous judging panel including a video submission before a shortlist was drawn up. Panel judge Richard Ramsay said: “The quality of care, teaching and horse management we have seen in this year’s livery yard, riding school and RDA awards has been magnificent. For these top yards nothing is overlooked and standards across the board are exceptional.”

The SEIB RDA Centre of the Year went to Barrow Farm RDA in Essex. A delighted Anne Mitchell and Karen Lehner went up on stage to collect their trophy. Peggy Douglas and her daughter Sophie from Erme Valley RDA in Devon took the highly commended prize. Contessa Riding and Training Centre headed the Small Riding School of the Year awards with Tina Layton and Betty Vegere collecting the award. Highly commended in this section went to owner, Gerry Dunne and manager Cam Christie of Grovely Riding Centre near Salisbury.

The Large Riding School of the Year Award saw Abergavenny based, Triley Fields Equestrian Centre take the win for Beccy Field. Fiona and Chloe Tothill of Kingsmead Equestrian Centre and Pippa Hutton and from the Talland School of Equitation both went home with highly commended prizes. The SEIB Do it Yourself (DIY) Livery Yard of the Year went to Berries Farm Liveries. Jen Brooker and Richard Pointer headed up on stage to collect their award. Highly commended in the DIY section went to Andrew and Abigail Turnbull from Richmond Equestrian centre in North Yorkshire. The Full Livery Yard of the Year award went to Jason and Helen Newbold of Folly Fields Farm.

 

Find out more and watch all of the shortlisted yards entry videos here.

SEIB’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton and Chief Operations Officer, Bipin Thaker presented a cheque for £10,000 and a commemorative plaque to Jan Rogers and Jessica Keane of the winning charity, The Horse Trust. Nine other charities reached the final voting stage of the SEIB Charity Awards and received a further £33,000 from SEIB between them, including £8,000 Epsom Riding for the Disabled as voted top small charity (with a turnover of under £100,000). The final vote for the top 10 charities was limited to clients of SEIB.

Suzy Middleton said: “I am so very proud that at SEIB, with the support of our owners, Ecclesiastical, we are in a position for our profits to go to good causes. To be able to support and make a difference to the futures of some of those that have had endured bleak times over the past eighteen months is heart-warming.”

The SEIB Charity Awards have strict entry criteria; only small and medium charities are eligible. In light of the many and often overwhelming demands placed on charities by Covid-19, for the second year running, any money granted by SEIB can be used as the charity sees fit and to cover running costs for the charity. In previous years the grant had to be awarded for a specific project. SEIB introduced this flexibility into the awards to ensure that the money granted will really make a difference.

The general public nominated their favourite charities in the first stage of the decision-making process for the 2021 SEIB Charity Awards before SEIB clients went on to have the final vote for the top 10 placings and the recipient of the £10,000 top prize. The Charities Trust provided SEIB with their help to carry out due diligence to ensure that each of the finalists met all criteria of the grant and are above board. SEIB works closely with the charitable sector and insures many charities and non-for-profit organisations, this has been enhanced through the recent purchase by SEIB of leading independent ethical broker, WRS Insurance Brokers.

Barry Fehler continued “We are delighted that our customers have decided which of these very worthy causes should receive the grant. SEIB is so successful because we are totally customer focussed and this is another way that our clients can have their say”.

The other finalist charities are; Children’s Heart Unit Fund, Missing People, Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, Me&dee Charity, SiMBA, Proteus Reptile Trust, World Horse Welfare and Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare.

Giving 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. Whilst SEIB is an independent broker, the company is owned by the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group that is in turn owned by the charity Allchurches Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late in 2020, an idea was conceived to celebrate horses and the important role they can play in helping mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Fast forward 10 months and The Great Horses for Health Relay ride is proving an unprecedented success. Throughout Great Britain, since the second #of May, riders and their horses have taken part in this relay ride – and are still doing so – to help raise funds for seven equine charities.

The SEIB and Horseworld Trust Inspirational award was presented to ride founder and organiser, Sophie Gifford, by Petra Ingram CEO Horseworld Trust, Suzy Middleton CEO SEIB and Bipin Thaker SEIB COO. Sophie has worked tirelessly, with the Horseworld Trust to launch and successfully run The Great Horses for Health Relay that started on 2nd May in Yorkshire and will conclude in the South West in October.

Sophie Gifford said “I am so grateful and proud to have been awarded the Inspirations Fundraiser on behalf of Horse for Health.   So many people have worked very hard to pull together events across the UK.  So this award is a testimony to their enthusiasm and commitment.   Thank you SEIB, people helping horses helping people.”

SEIB’s Marketing Manager, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We are delighted to support the amazing work Sophie has done in highlighting the positive effect our wonderful horses can have on mental health. The Great Horses for Health Relay has included a vast array of people from all walks of life, from right across the country.”

The SEIB and NAFD Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Nigel Lymn Rose, Company Chairman of A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service, by Kate Edwards, president of the NAFD, Suzy Middleton and Bipin Thaker. In the fourth generation of the family business, Nigel has spent more than 50 years of his life helping the bereaved in Nottinghamshire and South Derbyshire. Master of Ceremonies for the day, Chris Clark, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Planning Services Ltd said: “There can be no more worthy a winner of this award than Nigel. He truly has dedicated his life to helping provide a caring service to grieving families, and in addition to this, playing a crucial role in securing government support to ensure that funeral directors are able to be in a position to do their important work.”

Nigel Lymn Rose said: “I am humbled by this award today. It is nice to have my family here – even though they must have cheated on me by sending on words and pictures without me knowing – I really am honoured. People ask me why I don’t retire, but my work is my hobby, I don’t want to do anything else.”

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, SEIB are at the forefront of providing support within the markets they operate.

The SEIB Livery Yard, Riding School and Riding for the Disabled Centre of the Year Awards

Presented by SEIB’s CEO Suzy Middleton and COO Bipin Thaker

SEIB RDA Centre of the Year – Highly Commended – Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled Group – Peggy and Sophie Douglas

SEIB RDA Centre of the Year – Winner – Barrow Farm Riding and Carriage Driving for the Disabled – Anne Mitchell and Karen Lehner

SEIB Small Riding School of the Year – Highly Commended – Grovely Riding Centre – Gerry Dunne owner, Cam Christie Yard Manager

SEIB Small Riding School of the Year – Winner – Contessa Riding and Training Centre – Tina Layton and Betty Vegere

SEIB Large Riding School of the Year – Highly Commended – Kingsmead Equestrian Centre – Fiona and Chloe Tothill, Yard Manager

SEIB Large Riding School of the Year – Highly Commended – Talland School of Equitation – Brian and Pippa Hutton

SEIB Large Riding School of the Year – Winner – Triley Fields Equestrian Centre – Beccy Field

SEIB DIY Livery Yard of the Year – Highly Commended – Richmond Equestrian Centre – Andrew and Abigail Turnbull

SEIB DIY Livery Yard of the Year – Winner – Berries Farm Liveries – Richard Pointer and Jen Brooker

SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year – Highly Commended – Bogs Hall Stables Livery and Training – Ruth and Richard Botham

SEIB Full Livery Yard of the Year – Winner – Folly Fields Farm Livery – Jason and Helen Newbold

 

SEIB Giving Awards 2021

Presented by Suzy Middleton SEIB CEO, Bipin Thaker SEIB COO and Chris Clark MD, Ecclesiastical Planning services

10^th Place – Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare – Sally Crawford and Emma Carter – £2,000

9^th Place – World Horse Welfare – Roly Owers – Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare – £2,000

8^th Place – Proteus Reptile Trust – Amy Taranaski and Neil Swann – £2,000

7^th Place – SiMBA Charity – Lisa Hague and Gillian Wells – £2,500 – presented by Chris Clark, Suzy Middleton and Bipin Thaker

6^th Place – Me&Dee Charity – Maria Hanson MBE and Anita Marbrow – £3,000

5^th Place – Brent Lodge – £3,500

4^th Place – Missing People – Sarah Wyn Jones and Christopher Mann – £4,000

3^rd Place – Childrens Heart Unit Fund – £6,000

2^nd Place – And highest placed small charity – Epsom RDA – Ray Lee – £8,000

1^st Place – The Horse Trust – Jan Rogers – £10,000

 

SEIB and Horseworld Trust Inspirational Award

Presented by Petra Ingram CEO Horseworld Trust, Suzy Middleton CEO SEIB and Bipin Thaker SEIB COO

SEIB and Horseworld 2021 Inspirational Award winner – Sophie Gifford

 

SEIB and NAFD Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented by Kate Edwards NAFD President, Suzy Middleton and Bipin Thaker

SEIB and NAFD Lifetime Achievement Award winner – Nigel Lymn Rose

SEIB Insurance Brokers are specialists in equestrian insurance, funeral directors insurance, private hire insurance and also provide charity insurance for many of the UKs leading animal welfare charities.

We are able to provide flexible policies to suit individual client needs and provide advice on what cover is needed. For more information call the team on 01708 850 000.