Be Wiser Insurance Explained

Be Wiser Insurance
Industry:Insurance
Founded:2007
Hq Location:Andover, England
Products:Car/Van/Bike/Home Insurance
Website:https://www.bewiser.co.uk/

Be Wiser Insurance is an insurance broker, founded in 2007. The company is Financial Conduct Authority approved and a member of the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA).[1] They offer a range of insurance products from a panel of UK insurers covering car, bike, van, domestic, business and commercial insurance.

Staff, Training and Development

Be Wiser Insurance is based in Andover.[2] [3] Their headquarters were officially opened by Sir George Young, 6th Baronet.[4] The current number of employees totals over 600 staff in six offices across Andover, Hampshire.[5]

The company opened a new office in Swindon in June, 2016, promising 350 new jobs for the area.[6]

Be Wiser has 280 Apprentices and is one of the UK's Top 100 Apprenticeship Providers.[7] [8] In 2014 Be Wiser was rewarded nationally for their apprenticeship programmes; HeadStart, FreshStart, SureStart and KickStart.[9] [10] As well as providing professional training and development for its employees Be Wiser also trains and develops external candidates from across the Insurance sector through its Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) training centre.[11]

Be Wiser are the first insurance broker to have developed a BA (Hons) Insurance Degree Programme,[12] thanks to the introduction of The Be Wiser Uni for Insurance (BUFI)[13] whose degree programme is accredited by The University of Chichester. BUFI also incorporates Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeships.

Awards

Sponsorship

Be Wiser Insurance has sponsored several sports teams and events.

Be Wiser Ducati (2016 - 2019)

Be Wiser Insurance sponsored a British Superbike Racing Team Be Wiser Ducati[26] - owned by Paul Bird Motorsport.

The 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons featured Shane "Shakey" Byrne and Glenn Irwin riding a Ducati Panigale R[27] for the team, with Glenn's younger brother Andrew Irwin joining the team as a replacement rider for the injured Shakey in the 2018 season.

The 2019 season saw a completely new line up for the team,[28] with 2015 BSB winner[29] Josh Brooks and MotoGP rider Scott Redding joining the PBM Be Wiser Ducati Race Team. The 2019 season saw not only new riders for the team, but a new bike, with both riders climbing aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R.[30]

Be Wiser concluded its partnership with the PBM Ducati Racing Team in 2019, with their final season as sponsor seeing Scott Redding win the BSB Championship.[31]

Be Wiser Kawasaki (2012 - 2015)

Previously, the company sponsored a Superstock (2013–14) and later, a British Superbike Racing (2015) Team - Be Wiser Kawasaki. The team was managed by previous British Superbike Champion 2011, Tommy Hill, with riders[32] consisting of Chris Walker (motorcycle racer) and Danny Buchan.[33] The team rode a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - notable for its unusual yellow and black livery.[34] Be Wiser Kawasaki withdrew from the 2015 BSB season due to lack of financial backing.[35]

Other Sponsorship

Be Wiser Owl

Be Wiser's Owl is a recognised face across the country. As part of their 10th anniversary, the Be Wiser Owl could also be seen on Europe’s largest freestanding LED advertising boards.[51]

During 2017 Be Wiser donated small torches and reflective stickers featuring its distinctive owl logo to local schools.[52]

Charity Support and Fundraising Activities

Be Wiser Insurance has been involved in several fundraising activities, including:

Coverbox acquisition

Telematics insurer went into administration in July 2019 and Be Wiser incorporated its customer base into their Drive Wiser branding.[59]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.biba.org.uk/MediaCenterContentDetails.aspx?ContentID=3706 Be Wiser Insurance joins BIBA – 15 September 2014
  2. http://www.insuranceage.co.uk/insurance-age/news/2284719/be-wiser-posts-drop-in-profit-as-turnover-increases-by-gbp4m Be Wiser posts drop in profit as turnover increases by £4m
  3. http://www.insurancepeople.uk.com/newsfull.php?id=2833 New HQ for Be Wiser opened – 17 September 2014
  4. http://www.sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk/news/Cnewsitem.cfm?newsid=4421 Sir George opens Insurance Head Office – 17 September 2014
  5. http://www.bewiser.co.uk/about - About Be Wiser Insurance
  6. Web site: Jobs come to Swindon as insurance firm Be Wiser opens its doors. Swindon Advertiser. 2016-09-15.
  7. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/congratulations-to-the-national-apprenticeship-award-winners-and-the-top-100-apprenticeship-employers Be Wiser is one of the UK's Top 100 Apprenticeship Providers
  8. http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/story/2014-05-29/andover-insurance-broker-seeks-apprentices/ Andover Insurance broker seeks apprentices – 29 May 2014
  9. Web site: Winner of Employer of the Year Award, Inspire Business Awards . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090704/http://www.inspirebusinessawards.co.uk/winners2013/ . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  10. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/archive/2014/04/06/11125063.Growing_insurance_firm_prepares_for_the_future/ Growing insurance firm prepares for the future – 6 April 2014
  11. http://www.bewiser.co.uk/news/press-releases/introducing-wiser-academy-12-day-cii-certification-training-change-insurance Introducing the Wiser Academy – 12 Day CII Certification Training To Change the Insurance Industry - 10 June 2014
  12. Web site: UK’s first ever insurance degree launches. Lucas. Paul. Insurance Business. en. 2019-03-15.
  13. Web site: Degree Programme - Career Wiser. Career Wiser Recruitment. en. 2019-03-15.
  14. Web site: 2011 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 - Rank: 13 Be Wiser Insurance . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924010851/http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fasttrack/leagues/dbfastDetails.asp?siteID=1&compID=3254&yr=2011 . 24 September 2015 . dead .
  15. Web site: 2012 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 - Rank: 45 Be Wiser Insurance . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055014/http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fasttrack/leagues/dbfastDetails.asp?siteID=1&compID=3254&yr=2012 . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  16. Web site: 2013 The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 - Rank: 78 Be Wiser Insurance . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113953/http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/fasttrack/leagues/dbfastDetails.asp?siteID=1&compID=3254&yr=2013 . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  17. http://www.businessmag.co.uk/the-solent-250/solent-250-awards-2014/ The Solent 250 Awards 2014 - 15 December 2014
  18. http://www.andovertown.co.uk/news/national-apprenticeship-awards-win-for-be-wiser/ National Apprenticeship Awards Win for Be Wiser – 6 October 2014
  19. http://www.andovertown.co.uk/news/andover-apprentice-helps-win-national-award/ Insurance Times Training Excellence & Impact Award 2014
  20. Web site: National Apprenticeship Awards 2015 - winners announced. GOV.UK. en. 2019-03-15.
  21. Web site: Be Wiser Insurance wins National Apprenticeship Award. 2016-02-02. Be Wiser Insurance. en. 2019-03-15.
  22. Web site: Winners. Insurance Times Awards 2017. en-GB. 2019-03-15.
  23. Web site: INSPIRE17 Winners Awarded at Glittering Ceremony. INSPIRE. 2017-11-29. INSPIRE19. en-GB. 2019-03-15.
  24. Web site: Winners. IT Awards 2018. en-GB. 2019-03-15.
  25. Web site: Be Wiser Receives Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2020. 2020-04-02. Be Wiser Insurance. en. 2020-04-22.
  26. Web site: British Superbikes Paul Bird Motorsport Ford EcoBoost Championship. www.pbmuk.net. 2016-09-15.
  27. Web site: Ducati Superbike Panigale R - Ducati. www.ducati.com. Ducati Motor Holding -. www.ducati.com. 2016-09-15.
  28. Web site: BSB news - Josh Brookes joins Scott Redding with switch to Be Wiser Ducati. 2018-10-10. Eurosport UK. 2019-03-15.
  29. Web site: Brookes wins epic duel with Shakey to win first MCE BSB crown. news.msv.com. 2019-03-15.
  30. Web site: Gallery: Redding and Brookes test Panigale V4 R. 2018-11-30. Motorcycle News. en. 2019-03-15.
  31. Web site: PBM And Be Wiser Insurance - Announcement. 2019-07-08. Be Wiser Insurance. en. 2020-04-24.
  32. http://www.bewiserkawasaki.co.uk/British_Super_Bikes_Meet_The_Team.php Meet the Be Wiser Kawasaki Team
  33. Web site: Be Wiser Kawasaki 2015 Rider Line-Up – Chris Walker and Danny Buchan - 6 November 2014 . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074544/http://www.walkerthestalker.com/be-wiser-kawasaki-2015-rider-line-up-chris-walker-and-danny-buchan/ . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  34. http://www.bewiserkawasaki.co.uk/BSB_Gallery.php Be Wiser Kawasaki ZX-10R Livery
  35. Web site: Be Wiser Kawasaki withdraws from rest of BSB season BSB News. Ltd.. Crash Media Group. 2016-09-15.
  36. http://www.bewiser.co.uk/news/press-releases/be-wiser-insurance-celebrates-5th-birthday-day-races Be Wiser Insurance Celebrates 5th Birthday with a Day at the Races - 18 June 2012
  37. http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/royals-announce-be-wiser-deal-310714-1795805.aspx Royals announce Be Wiser deal – 31 July 2014
  38. http://www.readingfc.co.uk/commercial/advertisers/ Reading F.C. Advertising Partners
  39. http://www.bewiser.co.uk/news/press-releases/be-wiser-kawasaki-team-launched Be Wiser Kawasaki Superstock Team Launched - 18 March 2013
  40. https://archive.today/20150119161537/http://www.britishsuperbike.com/news/be-wiser-kawasaki-set-for-2015-mce-british-superbike-championship.aspx Be Wiser Kawasaki set for 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship – 1 October 2014
  41. http://www.wiltshirebusinessonline.co.uk/news/11630448.Be_Wiser_Insurance_moves_onto_the_racetrack/?ref=la Be Wiser Insurance moves onto the racetrack – 24 November 2014
  42. Web site: Hampshire PGA 2015 Fixtures Diary - 5 March 2015 . 15 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150414070357/http://www.hampshire-pga.co.uk/hpga/forms/misc/2015_Diary.pdf . 14 April 2015 . dead .
  43. Web site: Be Wiser new insurance partner for AJ Bell National Badminton League - Badminton England. www.badmintonengland.co.uk. 2016-09-15.
  44. Web site: Event Scotland Star Sixes. Star Sixes MAIN. en. 2019-03-15.
  45. Web site: Be Wiser Insurance partners with tournament featuring Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand. Gangcuangco. Terry. Insurance Business. en. 2019-03-15.
  46. Web site: Be Wiser Backs Star-studded Football Tournament. 2017-07-14. Be Wiser Insurance. en. 2019-03-15.
  47. Web site: Home. Hawkstone MX International. en-US. 2019-03-15.
  48. Web site: Swindon Town FC renews partnership with Be Wiser Insurance. Swindon Advertiser. en. 2019-03-15.
  49. Web site: Be Wiser Sponsor All Weather Championships A. www.awchampionships.co.uk. 2019-03-15.
  50. Web site: TV Racing Expert Simon Mapletoft Joins The Be Wiser Team. 2016-12-13. Be Wiser Insurance. en. 2019-03-15.
  51. Web site: Be Wiser Shifts Advertising Campaign Into Top Gear. InsuranceEdgeEditor. 2017-11-01. Insurance Edge. en-US. 2019-03-15.
  52. Web site: Be Wiser and be seen: insurance company hands out torches and reflective stickers to pupils. Andover Advertiser. en. 2019-03-15.
  53. Web site: Be Wiser are proud to support Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in RideOut charity events.. 2018-04-23. Be Wiser Insurance. en. 2019-03-15.
  54. Web site: Be Wiser Charity Work 2017/18.
  55. Web site: Be Wiser Charity Work 2016/17.
  56. http://www.testvalleyarts.org/news/archives/08-2014 Andover Voices and Stories - 21 August 2014
  57. http://www.andoverandvillages.co.uk/andover-news-in-andover-and-villages/1356-be-wiser-supports-young-carers-charity Be Wiser Supports Young Carers Charity - 21 November 2014
  58. http://www.andovertown.co.uk/news/fun-raising-times-nets-donation-for-be-wiser-charities/ Fun Raising Times Nets Donation for Be Wiser Charities – 20 August 2014
  59. Web site: Be Wiser nets 10,000 customers as telematics broker falls into administration. Ruel2019-08-15T22:54:00+01:00. Clare. Insurance Times. en. 2020-04-21.