Fish Insurance, the leading disability insurance specialist, has recruited charity affinity programme expert Diane Caplehorn to lead a major drive into the third sector market.
Ms Caplehorn was previously executive director of Arthur J Gallagher’s Affinity Services operation. She has nearly 15 years’ experience in the third sector having been appointed by Heath Lambert to found and manage its Charity Solutions Division and subsequently secured successive promotions to become its executive director, a role she maintained when Heath Lambert was acquired by Gallagher in 2011.
In that time she forged partnerships with some of the UK’s leading charities as well as launching a dedicated affiliate scheme for smaller charitable organisations.
Appointed to the newly created role of head of partnership she will assume similar responsibilities at Fish. This will see her developing white label propositions based around the broker’s specialist portfolio which currently includes travel, motor and home insurance designed to serve people with disabilities, limited mobility and pre-existing medical conditions.
She has also been charged with developing new personal lines to serve Fish’s core client base and affiliate partners.
Commenting on her appointment Mrs Caplehorn said: “Fish is a dynamic, growing and well-resourced broker, much respected for its specialist expertise. I’m tremendously excited to be taking up this role and having the opportunity to present a compelling proposition to UK charities large and small.
My experience in devising and managing charity affiliate programmes will complement the vast experience Fish already offers having specialised in insurance for people with disabilities and pre-existing medical conditions for some 40 years.
Mrs Caplehorn will report to Fish’s managing director John Garrard who welcomed her to post by saying: “Diane’s appointment is part of a wider strategy I am implementing to both strengthen our brand profile and extend it into new niches. She is bringing to Fish unrivalled experience and expertise in the field of charity affiliate insurance and is therefore the ideal candidate to lead our drive into this sector.”
Founded in 1975, Preston-based Fish now serves over 80,000 policyholders with a specialist portfolio that also includes insurances for mobility scooters, wheelchairs, mobility aids and cover for people with disabilities or health conditions whose independent living is supported by government direct payment and personal budget schemes.