Towergate Insurance announces full year operating earnings of £152.4m¹

26th April 2012

Towergate Insurance today announces full year results for 2011, a year which saw significant change within the business.

The Group’s overall performance is in line with 2010, a positive achievement in a year which was a challenging market for the insurance sector.

Full Year Financial Highlights:

  • Annual gross written premium £3.0bn (£2.8bn 2010)
  • Group income £430m (£415m 2010)
  • Operating earnings £152.4m (£153.6m 2010)
  • Operating cash flow £115m
  • Interest cover (EBITDA/Interest) 1.6
  • Operating margin 35.4% (37% 2010)
  • Q4 discreet operating earnings Up 14.7% year on year

Full Year Divisional Performance:

  • Strong performance in Underwriting Division with income increasing 10% to £76.9m (£70.0m, 2010) and operating earnings up by 11% to £36.4m (£32.9m, 2010)
  • Retail Division income increased 2.4% to £258.2m (£252.1m, 2010) and operating earnings down slightly by 2% to £76.6m (£77.8m, 2010)
  • Paymentshield delivered strong results in a challenging mortgage market with income increasing 2% to £64.9m (£63.6m 2010) and operating earnings up 6% to £47.8m (£45.2m 2010)
  • Network Division added 40 new Members. Income in line with 2010 at £20.5m (£20.8m, 2010) and operating earnings down slightly to £13.1m (£13.7m, 2010)

Change at Towergate

  • Private equity investment secured
  • Successful group debt refinancing and heavily over subscribed bond issuance
  • Appointment of strong Board of Directors and new appointments to the executive team
  • Acquisition facility of £90m created
  • Comprehensive change programme in place and underway

Commenting on the results, Mark Hodges, Group CEO, said:

“Last year was a period of exciting change and progress in shaping Towergate for the future. We welcomed Advent International as a significant investor and secured long-term refinancing of the group’s debt. With headline operating performance in line with 2010, our business has performed well in a challenging economic environment and we have strengthened our platform for future profitable growth. When we look back on Towergate’s history I believe that 2011 will stand out as a memorable year in its development.

It is pleasing to see the momentum for growth that we built in the final quarter of 2011 being carried into the first quarter of 2012. We have completed 9 acquisitions since the start of the year and our pipeline remains strong. Growth in our underwriting division has continued in the first quarter alongside strong performance in Paymentshield.

We have also progressed significantly the strategic financial restructuring of the group to consolidate the CCV and Towergate debt. This is a key final step in simplifying our financing structure.

With important foundations for future growth now in place, I have no doubt that our people will take the group to new heights in 2012 and beyond.”

The Towergate Insurance 2011 Annual Report is now available to view and download at www.towergate.com/investors.

1. All financial information in respect of 2010 and 2011 has been presented on a pro forma basis as if the restructured group, including CCV, Countrywide and PowerPlace, all of which were acquired 11 February 2011, was in place for the full 12 months in both 2010 and 2011.


Media Contacts

Kelly-Ann Knight

Group Head of External Communications

Towergate

Mobile: 07717 866190

Email: kelly-ann.knight@towergate.co.uk


Simone Spinks

Group Communications Manager

Towergate

Mobile: 07872 821666

Email: simone.spinks@towergate.co.uk