It’s just three months since Auto Windscreens’ reincarnation and the buoyant supplier of automotive glass repair and replacement services is delighted to announce their appointment by First Central Insurance Management Ltd (FCIM), the UK service provider for online motor insurer, 1st Central.

Claire Burrell, Claims Director at FCIM, confirmed, “I’m delighted that 1st Central has selected Auto Windscreens as its chosen glass supplier. Enhancing customer experience is integral to our strategy and we have every confidence that Auto Windscreens are committed to deliver a service without compromise. We are looking forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Nigel Davies, Managing Director of Auto Windscreens, adds “We believe in total transparency and have proved our mettle to 1st Central. This is a great vote of confidence in the Auto Windscreens’ brand values, which are founded on Total Customer Satisfaction; coupled with Triford’s ownership that affords clear business direction. Our new strapline ‘Clearly Going Places’ is more than mere words.”

- Ends –

Notes to Editors:

About Auto Windscreens
We’re a leading fleet automotive glazing company in the UK with over 40 years’ experience. With a nationwide network of fitting centers, backed by a fleet of mobile service units, our objectives are founded on total customer satisfaction. Our Head Office is in Chesterfield, where our dedicated contact centre is located.

For further information, contact:

Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications, Markerstudy Group
E: lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
T: 0844 854 8714
M: 07875 652075
W: www.autowindscreens.co.uk




Jo Harrison, Marketing Manager, First Central Insurance Management Limited
Jo.harrison@1stcentral.co.uk
0843 208 4072

About First Central Insurance Management Limited
First Central Insurance Management Limited provides a range of insurance related services on behalf of First Central Insurance Services Limited. The Haywards Heath based Company commenced trading in 2008 and employs in the region of 300 staff.
About First Central Insurance Services
Established in 2008 as part of the First Central Group, First Central Insurance Services Limited distributes online motor insurance solutions to UK customers.

Markerstudy Group has completed the acquisition of Tonbridge Coachworks Vehicle Repair Group (which includes Tonbridge Coachworks, European Automotive Solutions and Canterbury Accident Repair Specialist).

With more than 900 members of staff and annual revenue in excess of £500 million, this latest move by Markerstudy Group will provide a secure platform for Tonbridge Coachworks to expand and progress.

The current owner, Vince Scudder says:
"I was surprised by the offer from Markerstudy to buy the businesses. They had looked at what we do and how we do it and liked what they saw."

With the current economic climate, and with some vehicle repair businesses struggling and closing, the purchase by Markerstudy is seen as a great positive for Tonbridge Coachworks, the car industry and the local economy.

"We are hoping not only to secure jobs, but to bring more trade into the area" says Kevin Spencer, Group CEO, "This is a new chapter in the story of a very successful local business."

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Notes to Editors:

The Markerstudy Group includes the insurance arm of the business: Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited and Zenith Insurance plc (acquired in January 2010) plus supporting companies Markerstudy Limited and Zenith Insurance Management UK Limited, providing distribution, claims and administrative support. In addition, there is a retail division including six customer facing brands, and Wessex Finance, a sub-prime lending and premium finance facility. Auto Windscreens joined Markerstudy Group in February 2011.


For further information, contact:

Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications
Markerstudy Group

Tel: 0844 854 8714
Email: lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
www.markerstudy.com

Captained by Business Development Manager, Paul Copeland, the Markerstudy team ‘Leg-ends’, consisted of aspiring footballers from within the Group and willing volunteers.

The tournament, in support of The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, was played out on 24th May at West Ham’s Upton Park, with teams from throughout the insurance industry eager for some seven-a-side action.

A team of West Ham legends was also present, managed by Tony Cottee and boasting such revered names as Mark Ward, Neil Shipperley, Stuart Slater, Alan McKnight and Dean and David Holdsworth.

Gary Humphreys, Group Underwriting Director, commented “The Markerstudy Leg-ends put on a brave performance against some younger, fitter and, it has to be said, better players - and finished the day with 1 victory and 7 non-victories! Thank you to Jason, Darren, Kevin, Dave and Mark for giving up their day so willingly.”

An almighty £17,000 was raised for The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.


Photo ‘who’s who’:
Back Row:
Doug Inwood (MS), Jason Markham (Quote Me Today), Gary Humphreys (Group Underwriting Director, MS), Scott Dawaulder (Senior Product Analyst, MS) Paul Copeland (Business Development Manager, MS), Darren Taylor (CC Flint).

Front Row:
Kevin Parmenter (Right Choice), Dave Harvey (Barry Grainger), Matt Tozer (Business Development Manager, MS) Mark Lagden (Head of Motor Fleet, MS) and Mark Corb (Elstree).


- Ends –

Notes to Editors:

The Markerstudy Group includes the insurance arm of the business: Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited and Zenith Insurance plc (acquired in January 2010) plus supporting companies Markerstudy Limited and Zenith Insurance Management UK Limited, providing distribution, claims and administrative support. In addition, there is a retail division including six customer facing brands, and Wessex Finance, a sub-prime lending and premium finance facility. Auto Windscreens joined Markerstudy Group in February 2011.


For further information, contact:

Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications
Markerstudy Group

Tel: 0844 854 8714
Email: lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
www.markerstudy.com

Markerstudy Group is delighted to announce the acquisition of Blagrove Insurance Brokers Limited, located in Carterton, Oxfordshire.

Established in October 2004, and with a GWP £4mm, it has been confirmed that the experienced team will be retained, and it will be ‘business as usual’ at the Carterton office.

This acquisition is the Group’s first foray into commercial motor, endorsing their strategy to develop a commercial portfolio.

Kevin Spencer commented: "We believe that the broker market offers tremendous opportunity and we will continue to grow the retail arm of our business, headed up by Russell Bence. My opinion is that the commercial motor market shows signs of hardening rates, providing us with even greater impetus. I warmly welcome the new staff to Markerstudy Group."

- Ends -



Notes to Editors:
The Markerstudy Group includes the insurance arm of the business: Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited and Zenith Insurance plc (acquired in January 2010) plus supporting companies Markerstudy Limited and Zenith Insurance Management UK Limited, providing distribution, claims and administrative support. In addition, there is a retail division including six customer facing brands, and Wessex Finance, a sub-prime lending and premium finance facility. Auto Windscreens joined Markerstudy Group in February 2011.

For further information, contact:
Lizzie Smith-Foreman
Head of Group Marketing and Communications
Markerstudy Group

Tel: 0844 854 8714
Email: lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
www.markerstudy.com

Fleet Manager for Auto Windscreens, Andy Gray, was commended for his bravery at the Derbyshire Police Headquarters’ Awards Ceremony, and presented with a Royal Humane Society award by David Coke-Steel, High Sheriff of Derbyshire.

The award was bestowed on Andy for courageously saving a man who was drowning and near to death in the River Rother at Somersall Park, Chesterfield.

Andy recounts the events that unfolded on the evening of 27th April 2010 when he and his wife were walking through Somersall Park. “A member of the public was pointing to a man laying face down in the river with just his arm sticking above the water. We swam into the river and dragged him up the river bank whilst my wife called the emergency services. It was evident that the man was not breathing, his face was blue and covered in mud. We turned him on his back, cleared his airways and administered chest compressions. Eventually there was a gurgle and a splutter and the man started to breathe. We put him in the recovery position and kept him conscious until the emergency services arrived”.
The man was taken to hospital and was released a few days later having made a full recovery.

Andy adds “I suppose you could say it was all about being in the right place at the right time and taking control of a situation that could have quite easily resulted in someone’s death”.

Nigel Davies, Managing Director of Auto Windscreens, comments “We are all extremely proud of Andy Gray and delighted that his bravery has been recognised publicly”.

- ends –

For further information, contact:
Lizzie Smith-Foreman?
Head of Group Marketing and Communications?
Markerstudy Group
Tel: 0844 854 8714 ?
Email: lsmith-foreman@markerstudy.com
www.markerstudy.com