Ecclesiastical bids to double revenue

Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical Insurance is looking to double the size of its business in Ireland and grow its market share over the next five years — identifying such developments as the Government’s plans to further lessen the Roman Catholic Church’s influence on the schooling system as opportunities.

The company — seen by many as a provider of cover for religious activities, mainly focused on Anglican parishes — has been trading in Ireland for 32 years and is currently celebrating its 125th year as an international business spanning three continents.

Nearly two years ago, the Ecclesiastical group’s Gloucester-headquartered management team committed to invest further in its Irish operations.

Financial services sector veteran David Lane — who was appointed to head up Ecclesiastical in Ireland at the beginning of this year — is trying to double the local division’s annual revenues from the current €18m-€20m over the next five years. 

The company currently has less than a 5% share of the Irish insurance sector, but has no interest in taking on the big guns in car, home, life and general insurance.

"It’s more important for us to maintain and increase our market share in our core areas" he said.