Our Story
Since our launch in Cheltenham in the UK in 2001, we have worked hard to provide our clients with the best possible solutions, supported by the highest possible standards.
2001 Bellwood Prestbury launches in Cheltenham
Peter Bellwood launches the business on 2nd January 2001 as a sole trader from an office at 103 Promenade, Cheltenham.
2002 We begin to support individual expatriates abroad
Bellwood Prestbury’s first foray into international insurance is supporting individuals living abroad.
2003 We create bespoke cover for companies working in the Iraq war zone
Working with a Lloyd’s Broker, we create affordable cover for a company bidding for support and logistics contracts in the Iraq war.
2004 Our focus shifts to supporting businesses in high-risk areas
We begin to provide bespoke insurance for companies working in post-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan, and NGOs, humanitarian and media organisations.
2005 We begin to service multi-national firms with complex needs
We expand into employee benefit schemes for multi-nationals across borders, covering expat and local employees.
2006 We set up regular support trips to UAE and Dubai
We regularly visit major clients in the Middle East to review renewals and ensure best value.
2007 Bellwood Prestbury becomes a member of British Expertise
We join British Expertise to improve our support for companies working on overseas projects.
2008 We provide Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance for US contracts
Many of our clients are involved with logistics and infrastructure support in Afghanistan and Iraq.
2009 We create International Liability insurance for UN contracts
This allows companies working all around the world to meet the UN’s contractual obligations with a single policy.
2010 We extend cover for relief workers in Haiti
We create bespoke cover for multiple nationality NGO workers responding to the earthquake in Haiti, with US medical evacuation.
2011 Bellwood Prestbury becomes a Lloyd’s Coverholder
This gives us more flexibility in creating bespoke high-risk Personal Accident insurance and Life insurance for companies operating all over the world.
2011 Protection from Somalia pirates
Our special Maritime Security insurance protects ships, cargoes and personnel as pirate attacks rise in the Gulf of Aden.
2012 ISO 9001 Certification achieved
We achieve ISO 9001 Certification – a standard we still uphold today.
2013 We provide kidnap and ransom cover for journalists in Syria
Clients include journalists, documentary teams and film crews reporting on the escalating unrest and eventual civil war, as well as security companies protecting Red Cross installations.
2014 High-risk Oil and Gas insurance in action in Iraq
The brutally fast advance of ISIS in Iraq requires mass evacuation of western oil and gas workers in Iraq.
2015 We develop a specialist policy for companies working in Ebola-affected areas
Our specialist policy provides cover for death or disability for employees potentially exposed to Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
2016 Bellwood Prestbury launches IN magazine
Sharing international insurance advice and tips from experts in kidnap and ransom, legal risks, security and other interesting fields.
2017 We launch our global Fleet Insurance product
Providing international cover for vehicles, anywhere in the world, from a single policy.
2018 Bellwood Prestbury becomes a Lloyd’s Broker
After seven years as a Lloyd’s Coverholder, we become a registered Broker at Lloyd’s, using our new status to support clients in Mogadishu, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
2019 Bellwood Prestbury opens London Office
We open our London Office at St Dunstan’s Hill, just a short walk from Lloyd's of London.
2021 We make a more formal move into Trade Credit cover
We appoint Rupert Cutler as an Authorised Representative, working together to provide Trade Credit insurance and other international protections for exporters and importers, companies setting up operations abroad, as well as financiers, banks and lenders.
2022 Celebrating 10 years of ISO certification
We celebrate 10 years of uninterrupted ISO Certification, assuring clients of our unwavering commitment to quality.
2023 Bellwood Prestbury opens European Office
We open our European Office in Munich, Germany to service the German market and wider European clients.