Headquarters Address: Town Mills, Rue Du Pre, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 6HS, UK
Net Assets: 13,854,000 (according to the UK Global Database 2018 report)
Size(employees): 600+
Global Locations: Gibraltar, Guernsey, Manchester, Sussex
Underwriting Expertise: Motor insurance, underwriting, technology, finance, distribution, and legal services
Key People: CEO: Michael Lee
About First Central
First Central Insurance & Technology Group is an insurance and technology company that provides motor insurance, underwriting, technology, finance, distribution, and legal services. Its brands include First Central Group Limited, First Central Services (Guernsey) Limited, First Central Services (UK) Limited, Skyfire Insurance Company Limited, Skyfire Reinsurance Company Limited, Skyfire Property Holdings PCC Limited, Skyfire Property Company Limited, First Central Insurance Management Limited, and 1st Central Law Limited.
Skyfire Insurance and Skyfire Reinsurance, First Central’s underwriting brands, assess risks using state-of-the-art data sources to provide motor insurance premiums. 1St Central, the group’s motor insurance broker, aims to make car insurance purchases an effortless experience. The business has served more than 500,000 customers since its launch
History of First Central
First Central Group was founded in 2008 to restore and maintain trust in the financial services sector through data and technology by reducing risk and delivering high-quality products.
1st Central, the company’s motor insurance broker, has received awards throughout the years, including the prestigious national Servicemark award from the Institute of Customer Service and Insurance Provider of the Year from MoneyAge for the third year running in 2019.
In 2018, First Central Group made significant developments to its operating system and started managing customer claims. It also boosted its charity work by sponsoring the Be the Change programme and launching a new platform for the Youth Commission to help young people in Guernsey and Alderney. It extended its sponsorship arrangements with Sussex Cricket for a further three years and the Foundation 92 Salford City FC’s community programme for an additional two years.
Leadership at First Central
Michael Lee – CEO
Lee joined First Central in March 2019, bringing extensive experience in technology-based distribution and underwriting.
Before joining First Central, Lee served as the managing director and member of the executive team at Hastings Insurance Group, where he was responsible for the claims, underwriting, counter fraud, and reinsurance functions. Under his leadership, the company landed a private equity deal with Goldman Sachs in 2013.
Lee also co-founded Southern Rock Insurance and spent a decade at Provident Insurance plc.
Culture at First Central
Every year, First Central employees nominate a charity that will benefit from the company’s support through financial donations, time, and resources. It achieves its annual fundraising targets through multiple events such as a yearly auction of promises, bake-offs, bike rides, skydives, and abseiling. Some of the charities supported by First Central include Smile George Foundation, Clubhouse Gibraltar, Mustard Tree, and Chestnut Tree House.
First Central is also committed to taking care of the environment. As part of its commitment, the company embeds environmentally friendly principles and practices into its daily operations, including continuous assessment and improvement of its direct and indirect environmental impact and by conducting regular beach clean-ups.
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