Press Release

Mike Gleeson Archangel Communications
tel:
+44 (0)20 7731 2324
email: mikegleeson@archangelcomms.com
Philippe Gouraud, CEO, Concordia
Tel: +44 (0)3300 889 637
email philippe.gouraud@concordia-employment.co.uk
EMPLOYER PROTECTION SPECIALIST MGA CONCORDIA LAUNCHES
…Concordia brings new kind of liability insurance for UK employers to fill gap in the market…
…cover specially designed for the UK …
20th March, 2015
UK employer insurance specialist Concordia has just opened its doors for business. The City of London MGA’s debut
has been facilitated by Ambant Underwriting Services and underwritten by capacity partners in the London insurance
market. Clyde & Co are providing legal support. Concordia is distributing its insurance products through brokers as
well as directly to employers.
Concordia’s insurance has been specifically developed for UK employers to manage their risk and exposure resulting
from workplace disputes. Its cover indemnifies employers against legal costs, as well as awards made against them. It
gives further protection by providing risk management tools, active case management support and workplace
investigations. Unlike typical market offerings, Concordia’s insurance covers claims made by current as well as past
employees, contractors, temporary workers, trainees and failed employment applicants.
“Employers now have, for the first time and in one place, comprehensive cover and support where and when they
need it,” says Philippe Gouraud, Chief Executive Officer of Concordia. “We’ve identified a growing demand for a new
kind of insurance and service to protect employers - that’s why we chose to launch Concordia now.
“Until now employers have been finding many insurance options limited or imposing too many complex conditions or
draconian condition precedents,” Gouraud continues. “They want issues dealt with from day one rather than waiting
for the matter to go to court. And they want to be rewarded for following prudent employment practices. And
employers want their insurer to stay onside, even if they make a procedural oversight in handling a difficult
employment situation, such as dealing with a staff conduct or performance issue. We’ve listened carefully and built our
product to match their precise requirements.
“We’re providing easy to understand, effective and well-priced insurance - and our proactive support and claims
handling process means that employers will never be distracted from their core business. Concordia’s product has
been well received by the brokers who’ve reviewed it and the employers we consulted as part of its development
process,” Gouraud concludes.
Neil Carnaffan, Finance Director, Ambant Underwriting Services, adds: “Concordia is providing insurance that’s
satisfying a real need – its innovative approach and market expertise will make a positive contribution to the UK
workplace. Ambant Underwriting Services provided incubator space and consultancy for Concordia in its set up
phase. And we helped to get it up and running quickly and easily so it could launch to deadline. We’re continuing to
support Concordia with the kind of key regulatory and operational back-office services an MGA needs to grow
successfully.”
ends
Concordia Employment Services Limited, Marlow House, 1a Lloyd’s Avenue, London EC3N 3AA
+44 (0)3300 889 637
team@concordia-employment.co.uk
Concordia Employment Services Limited is an Appointed Representative of Ambant Underwriting Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Company Registration No. 9127174
Notes for editors
About Philippe Gouraud, CEO, Concordia
Philippe Gouraud comes from a solid background in insurance and risk management. He has built his insurance
career in the oil and gas sectors and at AIG through various management roles, including head of its AIG Risk
Finance unit in Europe, and more recently as Head of Client Management, EMEA. Gouraud is an economics and
finance graduate from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Bordeaux and holds a Master’s degree in risk management
from Kedge Business School. He left AIG to set up Concordia in 2014.
About Concordia Employment Services Limited
Concordia, the specialist employer liability insurance provider gives UK employers the first comprehensive, holistic,
start to finish, 360 degree employment practice liability insurance cover. It is distributing its insurance products through
brokers as well as directly to employers.
Concordia’s powerful product gives clients peace of mind through the most challenging steps of the employment
cycle: grievances, disciplinary and conduct issues – it includes providing risk management tools, active case
management coaching, workplace investigations and a comprehensive insurance cover that indemnifies employers
against costs and awards arising from such workplace disputes. It brings its expertise to the UK market for the great
benefit of employers. Its approach is guided by the belief that employment relations issues are best handled in a
timely and informed way so they do not become major distractions to employers.
The coverage Concordia offers is broadly written - for example, it covers employment discrimination claims made by
contractors or failed employment applicants, who are not direct employees. Unlike legal expense insurance policies,
Concordia’s insurance does not impose its way of working on clients, but it will recommend what it believes to be the
best approach.
While Concordia offers an insurance contract, its offer goes much further; it provides a service, at no extra cost, that
clients can access every day. From the onset Concordia gives clients a set of key human resources policies written in
conjunction with legal experts Clyde & Co and in full adherence with the ACAS code of practice and latest
employment law requirements. In addition, Concordia clients have access to hands-on training for their managers,
including training sessions delivered by ACAS. This means that the employer will be better prepared to face
challenges. And there’s further support from Concordia; a dedicated Concordia Account Manager, who is an
employment relations expert, will be assigned to every client. That manager will get to know each client’s business
and will work closely with the client to help it resolve problems when they arise.
Concordia, at the first signs of a problem in the workplace, backs the employer dynamically by:
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Giving guidance and information on UK employment rules;
Providing access to a helpline run in partnership with Clyde & Co;
Coaching the client throughout the process;
Supporting the client by conducting, in consultation with the employer, an on-site investigation when the
complexity of the case requires it;
Helping the client navigate their way through ACAS’s resources and its conciliation services;
Being on hand to support the client in determining what the right strategy and next steps should be;
Bringing in the expert services of Clyde and Co when legal representation is needed (or the client’s law firm if
this is preferred).
For further information about Concordia visit: www.concordia-employment.co.uk
Concordia Employment Services Limited, Marlow House, 1a Lloyd’s Avenue, London EC3N 3AA
+44 (0)3300 889 637
team@concordia-employment.co.uk
Concordia Employment Services Limited is an Appointed Representative of Ambant Underwriting Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Company Registration No. 9127174
About Ambant Underwriting Services
Ambant Underwriting Services gives managing general agents (MGAs) a professional, secure and easy route to
market. Because Ambant Underwriting Services is truly independent it works in the interest of the MGA and those who
back it to provide a safe, cost effective and risk free environment. It brings MGAs the security of a strong regulated
regime backed up by its team’s considerable industry experience. When it comes to launching, Ambant Underwriting
Services’ expertise enables it to get MGAs up and running in a matter of weeks.
Ambant Underwriting Services focuses on giving clients the required level of resources and infrastructure they need to
ensure they operate to the highest regulatory standards. It provides launch and host services to
underwriters/underwriting teams setting up as MGAs, service support to existing fully authorised MGAs and a general
bespoke service support to firms in the delegated underwriting arena.
The specific support offered by Ambant Underwriting Services covers:
Authorisation status
Underwriting systems
Financial management
Underwriting management controls
Management information
A full or bespoke back office operations support infrastructure
Compliance, regulatory and governance support
Distribution and capacity management
Product and business development
About Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co is a dynamic, rapidly expanding global law firm focused on providing a complete legal service to clients in
our core sectors. We advise businesses that are at the heart of worldwide commerce and trade. Our combination of
sector expertise, commercial attitude and in-depth regional understanding provides a unique perspective. For further
information see: http://www.clydeco.com
Concordia Employment Services Limited, Marlow House, 1a Lloyd’s Avenue, London EC3N 3AA
+44 (0)3300 889 637
team@concordia-employment.co.uk
Concordia Employment Services Limited is an Appointed Representative of Ambant Underwriting Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Company Registration No. 9127174