Esure
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| LSE: ESUR | |
| ISIN | GB00B8KJH563  |
| Industry | Insurance |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Reigate, Surrey |
Key people | Peter Wood, (Chairman) Stuart Vann, (CEO) |
| Revenue | £ 573.5 million (2013)[1] |
| £ 118.4 million (2013)[1] | |
| £ 93.2 million (2013)[1] | |
| Website | www.esuregroup.com |
esure is an internet and telephone based insurance company based in Reigate, Surrey, England. It also has offices in Manchester and Glasgow. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
History
esure was founded in 2000 by businessman Peter Wood, who also launched the Direct Line insurance company for the Royal Bank of Scotland. In 2005 Peter Wood also Launched the highly successful insurance brand "Sheilas' Wheels". The brand is characterised by its three pink sequin-clad Sheilas who starred in a series of adverts made for the brand alongside a pink 'Sheilamobile'. The brand become one of the fastest selling insurance brands in the UK. Sheilas' Wheels focuses on women drivers but has offered cover to men too from its launch. The product includes benefits such as enhanced bag cover.[2]
esure is also known for its high profile commercials with Michael Winner, used from 2002 to 2005 and resuming in 2007. The adverts spawned the phrase, "Calm down dear, it's a commercial".[3] Winner was temporarily replaced by Mr. Mouse, a blue animated mouse character with an American accent. Mr. Mouse was designed by Sian Vickers and Chris Wilkins, who came out of retirement at the request of Peter Wood, the founder of esure. The pair were responsible for the Smash Martians as well as the four-wheeled red telephone used by Direct Line in their publicity. Mr. Mouse's catchphrases include "Insurance at mices' prices!" and "Go on, give us a click!". Mr Mouse was voiced by the actor and arts critic Kerry Shale.[4]
On 21 November 2007, it was announced that esure would replace E.ON as the sponsor of ITV National Weather bulletins. The two-year deal, rumoured to be worth £10 million, was negotiated by Carat Sponsorship and began on 1 January 2008.[5]
Lloyds Banking Group sold its 70% stake in Esure to Esure Group Holdings, led by Peter Wood on 11 February 2010. The share was valued at around £185 million.[6] The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2013.[7]
Operations
esure is now one of the largest providers of motor insurance in the UK and also offers home, pet and travel insurance. The company focuses on lower risk customers, offering cheaper premiums for customers with a current no claims bonus for its car insurance products. esure car insurance also incorporates the First Alternative brand which in the past offered quotes to higher risk customers as a separately authorised insurer but now sits as a small-scale sub-brand of esure.
References
- ^ a b c "Annual Results 2013". Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ "Sheila's Wheels sees European gender ruling as an "opportunity"". Marketing Week. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- ^ Wilson, Giles, "Ad Breakdown: Calm down, dear. It's just a mouse that's got your job", news.bbc.co.uk. Article written 26 May 2006, retrieved 2 November 2006.
- ^ "Kerry Shale". Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- ^ "Esure becomes new ITV Weather sponsor". Digital Spy. November 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ Lloyds sells 70% stake in Esure BBC News Online. 11 February 2010
- ^ "Esure shares leap after its float to boost London IPOs". The Independent. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.