releases

Fortis unveils its new office in Reigate

30th April 2009

Fortis, a leading general and life insurer in the UK with over 6.7 million customers opens a new office in Reigate this week creating jobs in the area.

The company, which moved into the life protection market in July last year, moved into its new offices at Beech House in London Road over the Bank Holiday weekend. The new office is a result of its successful expansion into the life market representing a significant investment in both the company and the local community. Fortis revealed significant opportunities for employment, with the creation of over 40 local jobs to support its growth with more than 70 employees based at its Reigate office. Further job creation should result from expected business expansion over the next few years.

Fortis Life UK specialises in protection insurance - such as life, critical illness and income protection covers, distributing its products via a range of Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs). The new office is key to the continued growth of the company, as Fortis Life UK further expands its distribution relationships across the life protection market.

Commenting on the opening, Martin Werth, Managing Director, Fortis Life UK said:

"The move to our new office in Reigate is early evidence of the successful launch of our life business and of the confidence of our shareholders, particularly in the current economic climate. As Fortis Life continues to grow, we will bring new and exciting job opportunities to Reigate. We look forward to making Reigate our home and working with the community in the years to come."

The Company recently reported its strong 2008 year end financial performance following six months of trading, with New Annual Premiums of £2.8 million and number of customers insured in excess of 11,600. Its profitable growth strategy is based on providing market-leading customer service; an efficient, low cost business model; strong 2 partnerships; innovative products development that meets the customer needs; and above all, employing, training and retaining the very best people in the industry.

Fortis Life is the sister company to Fortis Insurance UK, the first ever general insurer to have been accredited Incisive Media Gold Standard for Insurance award. Together Fortis employs almost 3,000 workers in the UK, 100 of whom are employed by Fortis Life UK at both its London and new Reigate offices. Fortis Insurance UK has offices in Eastleigh, Gloucester, Haywards Heath, Bournemouth, Belfast, Redditch and Stoke.

Notes to editors

Fortis accolades 2008

• Insurance Times Awards - Motor Insurer of the Year (December, 2008)
• Incisive Media - Gold Standard for Insurance (November, 2008)
• ifs Financial Innovations Awards - Most Promising New Product - Insurance (November, 2008)
• Auto Body Professionals Club - Insurer of the Year (October, 2008)
• British Travel Awards - Best Travel Insurance Company - Post Office (October, 2008)
• Green Business Awards - Best Financial Business - The Green Insurance Co. (October, 2008)
• British Insurance Awards - Claims Initiative of the Year (July, 2008)

About Fortis

Fortis UK is a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK. Fortis UK has two main divisions, manufacturing both non-life and life products, which are distributed through a range of channels including brokers, IFAs, intermediaries, affinity partners and the Internet, as well as various wholly or partially-owned companies (RIAS, Fortis Insurance Solutions, Affinity Solutions Ltd, Text2Insure and InsureTECH Systems).

Insuring in excess of 6.7 million customers and working with a range of partners, Fortis is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. It employs almost 3,000 people with a head office based in Eastleigh and others in Belfast, Bournemouth, Gloucester, Haywards Heath, London, Redditch, and Stoke-on-Trent. In 2008, its non-life profit before tax and interest was GBP 76 million and its non-life GWP was GBP 760 million.

Press Contacts:

Fortis Press Office, Tel: 023 8035 2754, E: press.uk@fortis-uk.com