Cowens celebrates 50 years of passionate professionals and looks to the future

‘Passionate Professionals’ is the new marketing concept for Mansfield based Cowens Group and that passion certainly seems to be paying off as the business has seen its 50th year in business deliver strong profits, enhanced leadership and a busy calendar of celebrations.

New website launch
As well as launching a brand new website and eye-catching graphics and images, a new strapline, proudly added to a golden company logo for the 50th year, celebrates Protection, Prosperity and Peace of Mind – all of which sum up not only the unique business offering but the success, integrity and reassurance delivered to clients old and new.

A history – and a future – of success
Founded as an independent insurance broker in 1973 by Slav Kuchta and Bob Cowen, with a Financial Planning division added in 1986, the group now boasts over 70 employees across four businesses, offering Financial Planning, Mortgage Solutions and Employee Benefits packages as well as Survival Capability, commercial insurance and risk management for businesses large and small.

After rapid business expansion in recent years, including the launch of its Xpress Cover offering and Cowens Mortgage Solutions, the group saw profits increase by over 17% last year, despite the current economic climate.

In 2022 the business was awarded an Investors in People Gold Award and appointed three new board directors in Declan Shaw, Mark Wilson and Karl Sutcliffe. Autumn 2023 sees the appointment of David Carroll as Managing Director of the Financial Planning sector, following the retirement of Tony Duckworth after 18 years dedicated service supporting clients and growing the business. Phil Michou has also been appointed as a director of Financial Planning.

Celebrating half a century
Cowens’ staff have also enjoyed a year of celebrations to mark the milestone. March saw the directors thank staff for their service at a 70s themed event in Mansfield, whilst in June long-standing clients were treated to afternoon tea at Newstead Abbey. In November 2023 the insurance team are looking forward to hosting the UNA Conference, welcoming independent insurance brokers from all over the country to St George’s Park in Burton. As part of their ongoing community engagement ethos, the whole Cowens team have also been working to support a raft of charitable initiatives to celebrate their 50th year.

Paul Chaplin, Cowens Group Chief Executive Officer said,
“We are delighted to be celebrating the huge landmark that is our 50th anniversary and delighted that this coincides with the launch of our new website and our Passionate Professionals branding.
This company is both unique and special… We have many team members who have been with us for over 20 or 30 years and this, as well as our recent success and increase in profit, I think is testament to the team we have built and the trusted independent service we provide.

The recent changes to our business structure reflect the need to future-proof our offering for the next 50 years. High quality, independent commercial insurance brokers are becoming something of an endangered species as technology becomes more dominant in the industry. We are, of course, cautious in the current economic climate but we are confident in our team, our customer service and our products in delivering high-quality, impartial advice, with the clients’ best interests at the heart of everything we do. Here’s to the next 50 years!”