BG Insurance Drives Forward with Ambitious Growth Plans Under New Ownership

BG Insurance (Barry Grainger Ltd), a specialist motor insurance broker based in Tunbridge Wells, is entering a new chapter of expansion and innovation after being acquired by the Well Dunn Group Limited (formerly Insurance Revolution Group) in late 2021.

Long-established in Kent, BG Insurance has grown from a modest two-person start up into one of the UK’s leading providers of driving instructor insurance and other niche motor coverages . Now under new ownership and leadership, the company is poised to accelerate its growth, create local jobs, and broaden its services, all while maintaining the customer-focused values that have defined it from the start.

Early Days and Steady Growth

Dave Harvey founded BG Insurance in 2000 with just two staff members, initially concentrating on specialist segments of motor insurance. In those early years, one of the biggest challenges was securing partnerships with underwriters, Harvey had to build a panel of insurers essentially from scratch to offer competitive coverages to clients.

The hard work paid off: within the first year, the young broker wrote approximately £1.8 million in gross written premium, and it continued to expand rapidly thereafter. By the mid-2010s, BG Insurance had over 100 employees and a strong reputation for insuring non-standard motor risks ranging from driving schools and taxi fleets to owners of high-performance and classic vehicles.

Throughout its growth, the company emphasised personal service and treating customers fairly, ensuring clients could reach knowledgeable staff without the long hold times common at large call-centre insurers. This customer-first ethos quickly became a hallmark of BG’s business in the community.

Change, Stabilisation, and Building the Foundations

When Barry Grainger was acquired by Well Dunn Group Limited in 2021, it marked the beginning of a period of stabilisation and investment. The leadership team focused on strengthening the business and laying the right foundations for long-term success, ensuring BG Insurance was prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving insurance market and customer expectations.

Since then, BG has undergone a transformation:

● Rebranding & Website Launch: A refreshed identity and modern website have brought the brand firmly into the digital age, making it easier for customers to access information and services online.

● Investment in IT & Replatforming: Major upgrades to infrastructure and back-office systems have streamlined operations, enabling BG to handle higher volumes of business efficiently.

● Partnership with Open GI (OGI): Working with market-leading technology provider OGI, BG has built bespoke insurance schemes that allow it to bring tailored, competitive products directly to market.

● Enhanced Customer Portal: A more intuitive, user-friendly portal gives clients better access to their policies and documents, reflecting BG’s customer-first ethos.

● New Communication Channels: Recognising that today’s market is more connected and fast-moving than ever, BG has opened up new contact routes including WhatsApp, allowing driving instructors to get answers and support quickly in the ways they prefer.

Together, these changes represent a significant transformation in the way BG operates. The business today is stronger, more efficient, and more customer-focused than ever before and crucially, it is now ready to embark on its next phase of growth.

The New Chapter: Scaling for the Future

With solid foundations in place, BG Insurance is now focused on scaling its operations and making a bigger impact on the driving school insurance market. The company’s vision is clear: To become the household name for driving instructors across the UK.

Key elements of this new chapter include:

● Recruitment & Local Employment: Expanding the team in Tunbridge Wells to create new jobs and opportunities for local talent.

● Community Engagement: Giving back to the community that has supported BG for over 20 years, through both employment and local initiatives.

● Industry Leadership: Cementing BG’s reputation as a trusted specialist by continuing to deliver high-quality products, service, and innovation for driving instructors nationwide.

● Scaling Up: Leveraging its upgraded technology and bespoke insurance schemes to serve more customers, diversify products, and increase market share.

The result is a business that is not only resilient but ambitious, one that has stabilised, invested, and innovated, and is now perfectly positioned for growth.

As BG Insurance enters this exciting new chapter under the stewardship of Well Dunn Limited, the focus is firmly on people, service, and scale. With two decades of history behind it and a renewed energy for the future, BG is ready to lead the way in driving school insurance and beyond.

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