Greenhouse Communications recently transitioned to an Employee-Owned marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey to strengthen governance and ensure commitment to a long-term future that safeguards its mission and values.
This change in ownership structure required careful consideration of their existing Management Liability insurance, which had been designed around a more traditional company model. Without appropriate cover, the business could have faced gaps in protection, leaving directors and employees exposed to unnecessary risks.
Sustain Insurance Brokers undertook a thorough review of Greenhouse’s previous corporate structure alongside the new employee ownership arrangement. By taking the time to understand both the operational changes and the client’s long-term objectives, we were able to identify where adjustments to their insurance programme were necessary.
We then engaged directly with Greenhouse’s existing insurer to ensure a smooth transition of cover. This involved:
This proactive approach not only ensured continuity of protection but also delivered a cost saving for the client, reflecting the efficiencies of aligning policy dates.
Greenhouse Communications successfully completed their transition to employee ownership with insurance arrangements fully aligned to their new governance structure. By tailoring cover to meet the specific risks of an Employee-Owned business, Sustain provided Greenhouse with peace of mind that their directors and employees remain protected.
Beyond the technical solution, this case demonstrates how Sustain works with organisations to integrate insurance with their wider ESG strategy. Employee ownership is a powerful way to strengthen governance and empower staff – and with the right insurance support in place, businesses like Greenhouse can pursue these models with confidence.
Key Results
Our client is an experienced property developer who approached us to arrange insurance cover for two newly completed houses. The contractor had finished construction and handed the properties over, but they remained unoccupied pending sale which is a situation that can carry elevated insurance risks.
Recognising the exposure, we placed an unoccupied property insurance policy to protect the houses against theft and damage. We spent time ensuring the client fully understood the terms of the policy, particularly the obligation to carry out fortnightly inspections, before binding cover.
Only a few months later, the client faced a significant setback:
The client immediately contacted us to report the loss. We:
Early in the claim, the loss adjuster advised the client that the policy required weekly inspections and suggested that failure to do so could invalidate the claim.
However, we:
By addressing this discrepancy immediately, we prevented the claim from being wrongly declined.
We continued to:
This collaborative effort ensured that the insurer processed the claim efficiently and fairly.
The insurer agreed a settlement in excess of £70,000, covering:
Our client could restore the houses quickly, resume marketing and avoid severe financial strain. The outcome left them delighted with both the settlement and the level of support provided.
Sustain Insurance Brokers was established with the mission of driving positive societal impact by providing innovative insurance and reinsurance solutions for progressive, ESG-focused organisations. One of our key clients, Airhive, exemplifies this ethos. Founded in 2022, Airhive is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and implementation of direct air capture devices. These cutting-edge devices extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mainly for long-term storage but also for utilisation in real-world processes to reduce environmental impact. Until recently, Airhive’s focus was on laboratory and site-based prototype machines, but they have now entered a significant new phase: scaling up to production.
Airhive approached Sustain Insurance Brokers for comprehensive insurance coverage to support the deployment of their first large-scale production machine in Canada. This marked a critical juncture in their growth journey. However, this project posed several complex challenges:
Leveraging our expertise in securing bespoke insurance solutions, Sustain Insurance Brokers devised an innovative approach to address Airhive’s needs. Key steps included:
This case study highlights Sustain Insurance Brokers’ commitment to empowering ESG-focused organisations through customised insurance solutions. By overcoming geographic and technical challenges, we supported Airhive in their mission to combat climate change and advance sustainable technologies. Our partnership continues to evolve, driving innovation and progress for a better future.
Kid-A is a forward-thinking organisation and proud B Corp, reflecting their commitment to sustainable business practices. Their previous insurance arrangements, however, left them feeling unsupported and underserved, prompting them to seek a broker who understood both their values and their business needs.
During the initial meeting with the Managing Director of Kid-A, it became clear that their existing insurance arrangements were not meeting what was required of such a growing business. The incumbent policy, which had been in place for sometime, operated on a non-advised basis, meaning the insurer acted only on instructions without offering professional advice. Furthermore, the Client shared frustrations over a lack of responsiveness and a contact person at the insurer who didn’t fully understand their business.
Our Solution
Nicola Wyatt, our Senior Insurance Practitioner, quickly identified a way forward:
By addressing gaps in coverage, maintaining cost efficiency and providing proactive communication, Nicola transformed Kid-A’s insurance experience. Kid-A now enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having an expert adviser who understands his business and manages their insurance arrangements effectively.
Farringford Legal is a boutique legal firm specialising in providing legal services to both fast growing SMEs. As a rapidly growing firm, they sought an insurance solution that would not only meet their risk requirements but also be cost-effective.
Upon engaging with Farringford Legal, our team at Sustain Insurance Brokers undertook a thorough analysis of their specific insurance needs. A key insight was that, unlike many law firms, Farringford Legal was not registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
This distinction opened up a broader range of insurance markets that could be approached, allowing us to seek competitive quotes from insurers not constrained by SRA-related requirements and ultimately save them thousands of pounds.
By taking a lateral approach to the assessment of a clients risk profile, Sustain Insurance Brokers successfully addressed Farringford Legal’s need for affordable and comprehensive insurance.
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