AN INSURANCE brokerage in Petersfield has created a new subsidiary to expand its field of operations.

Stanhope Cooper, a family firm which has been in business for more than 14 years, specialises in private client, private medical, property development and construction insurance.

Last October its directors Matthew Ashton, William Cooper and Rachel Living launched the subsidiary – which is called Stanhope – to work within the mid-net worth, jewellery and fine art and non-standard home insurance markets.

Stanhope deals with jewellery, engagement ring and premium watch insurance, thatch, subsidence, flood, underpinned and non-standard construction insurance, unoccupied and renovation insurance, and mid and high net worth individual insurance.

It will also look into providing cover for “anything else slightly unique or unusual”.

Mr Ashton, the operations director of Stanhope, said: “Operating within this niche sector makes for a challenging and rewarding working environment.

“Our aim is to become the UK’s most trusted non-standard broker and we’ll do this by modelling selfless leadership, being full of integrity and valuing people above profit.”

After Stanhope Cooper was voted High Net Worth Insurance Broker of the Year 2018 by leading insurance publication Insurance Age, the directors spotted a gap in the market and decided it was time to start the Stanhope venture.

Mr Ashton added: “Our collective experience, combined with a substantial financial backing from the wider group, means we’re well placed for a successful future.”

With this bright future in mind, Stanhope is now looking to recruit “highly motivated, hard-working and committed” local people to join its staff as client advisers.

Mr Ashton said: “Stanhope offer an ambitious, stimulating working environment while remaining highly professional and compliant within industry regulation.

“We value character over competency, so while sales and/or insurance experience would be ideal, we’d be willing to speak to people from different sectors”.

Stanhope’s offices are within the Cedar Court building in College Street. For more information, call 01730 777600 or email [email protected]