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BDML Connect launch new solutions arm
BDML Connect, now part of The Capita Group, has launched a new subsidiary, BDML Insurance Solutions (BDMLIS), which will focus on niche areas of the affinity insurance market. Tony Martin, previously managing director Aon's high volume affinity activity is appointed to lead the BDMLIS team. The remaining members are Stuart Read, Jeremy Edland, Susie Cook (both ex-Aon) and Lee Glynn, formerly from R&SA.
BDMLIS will initially focus on local authority/housing association tenants insurance programmes; a scheme for employers to insure their home computer initiative programmes; and wholesale travel insurance facilities. Each of the products is currently being launched. Tony Martin: "The team and I are really excited about working in the entrepreneurial environment of BDML. We are already seeing a lot of interest from potential clients in our chosen markets."
Andrew Newman writes: Before the sale of BDML to Capita took place, Ultimate Insurance Solutions, established in 1996, was a subsidiary of BDML Holdings. Run from Portsmouth by Brian Lambert and Paul Hampshire, Ultimate was not taken over by Capita and is now independently owned by Messrs Lambert and Hampshire.
Asked to comment on the speed with which BDML have set up a new solutions arm, director Paul Hampshire points out that while Capita itself operates in the same market as UIS, BDMLIS does not. "We supply ULR and accident and health and other bespoke products to a number of strategic partners, supported by an experienced claims team based at our Portsmouth headquarters, who also deal with travel, legal, personal accident and pet claims, in addition to an outbound service and sales department. Ultimate Insurance Solutions continue to be retained by Capita as a product provider and specialist claims handler."
New low-cost subsidence repair solution
A new environmentally-friendly, low-cost subsidence repair solution has been developed by researchers at "Withers PLC, the Croydon-based subsidence, piling and foundation specialists. The With-A-Void foundation system uses recyclable collapsible steel fabricated chairs to create a void in the ground and reduce the risk of heave in clay subsoils. It replaces the traditional solutions such as those involving ground beams and compressible cell core polystyrene sheets. Withers managing director Rob Withers describes the latter method as effective against heave, but environmentally-unfriendly. "Our collapsible void...