Welsh broker FUW Insurance Services (FUWIS) has elevated Ann Beynon OBE (pictured), who has been a non-executive director since 2016, to board chair. Beynon, whose predecessor held the chairmanship for nine years, becomes the first female chair at FUWIS.
“I’m proud to take over from Tom [Jones] who has been such a force for good and has led us in a measured, wise, and proportionate manner,” said Beynon, a former BT director, in a release. “I sincerely thank Tom for his leadership over the last nine years and everything he has done for the business.”
Commenting on his successor’s appointment, Jones pointed to the vision of FUW’s founders.
“I think the aspirations of the founding fathers of the union are as relevant today as they were back in 1955,” he declared. “The FUW is a vital cog in Welsh agriculture, and I’m very proud to have played a part in its development. I wish Ann the very best for the future and have no doubt that under her leadership FUWIS will reach new heights.”
Now a £19.5 million gross written premium brokerage, FUWIS grew more than 50% under Jones’ time as chair.
Recognising their camp’s “major role” in the rural economy, Beynon is keen to further expand FUWIS.
She noted: “The business has shown itself to be robust and able to deal with changes in the market, as well as facing head-on the challenges experienced by the farming sector, which remains our core market. It’s a business that continues to evolve and it is very sensitive to the needs and requirements of the agricultural industry, while being able to provide services far beyond that core market.
“We need to grow even further within our core market while also looking for growth within the wider economy of rural Wales. We are confident that we’re able to do just that. We want to be seen as the rural insurer of choice here in Wales while also building on the growth that the business has enjoyed outside of Wales over recent years.”
FUWIS is a subsidiary of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, which was set up in 1955 to provide representation for Welsh farmers.
