A Stow insurance firm has bagged a pair prestigious national awards after launching less than two years ago.

Partners& won two categories at the UK Broker Awards run by Insurance Age Magazine.

The announcement was made at Broker Expo in Coventry earlier this month.

The company was founded in April 2020 and took home the Broker Start Up Award and the Diversity and Inclusion Award.

CEO Phil Barton said: “I’m thrilled that our team and the business have been recognised by our industry in these awards.

“Winning the Diversity and Inclusion award underscores our commitment to our team and our belief in the power of diversity.

“Being recognised as the Start Up Business of the Year reflects the impact of the brand we have created and the strength with which our purpose resonates with clients, people and the wider marketplace. I’m proud to lead this company.”

Partners& has 17 offices across the country, including Stow, employing a total of 390 people.

The company has a belonging, inclusion and wellbeing programme called BEAT which involves webinars, events, and exercise classes which all employees are encouraged to attend.

Natalie McClean, chief people officer at Partners&, said: “Being recognised as a leader in our industry for diversity and inclusion reflects a core tenet of our strategy.

“Our aim is to create an environment where our people can bring their best selves to work.

“We established our BEAT programme to focus our efforts on belonging, diversity and wellbeing, which when brought together, will enable our people to perform and thrive – it really is the heartbeat of our business, and I’m delighted with winning this award in recognition of our commitment.”

Sian Barton, editor of Insurance Age magazine, added: “The judging panel was hugely impressed with the success of the business since it was set up – it’s already shot into our Top 100 – so we were very pleased to give them the Start-up gong.

“Additionally, they took home the Diversity & Inclusion trophy for their excellent work and commitment to D&I in a very competitive category.

“Congratulations to everyone on the Partners& team.”