A KENT-BASED insurance broker has become the largest operation of its kind to gain special status in a move that aims to boost skills and attract more recruits into the industry.

Towergate, which has its head office in Maidstone, and scores of local offices nationwide, including Whitstable and Sevenoaks, is now a Chartered Broker, which qualifies a further 1,600 employees to become members of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

It will take Towergate's overall CII membership throughout UK offices to more than 3,000, an achievement that moves Towergate closer to its target of employing the highest number of qualified people in the industry.

The firm already operates an Academy training system across its operation, and promotes skills as a CII "Flagship Partner" involving sponsorship of the industry-wide Talent initiative. The company is working with the CII and other sponsors to promote insurance as an attractive career option.

Peter Cullum, executive chairman, said: "I have always been a firm believer in the value of professional qualifications and that you get out what you put in, so am committed to the CII.

"We want to instil a culture of excellence which every member of staff will feel proud to be associated with. It also demonstrates a commitment to our customers to achieve the highest professional standards in line with the CII’s current code of ethics.

"With the UK suffering from a major skills shortage which is affecting the global competitiveness of UK business, it is imperative that Towergate becomes a beacon for talent for those seeking a career in financial services."

CII sales and marketing director Lee Gladwell said: "Towergate is one of the most entrepreneurial and successful companies to appear in the insurance space for many years. We are delighted to have the company has achieved chartered status.

"We will develop a number of new initiatives over the coming year in partnership with Towergate that will champion skills and professionalism for the whole industry."

Towergate is Europe’s largest independently owned insurance intermediary, providing more than 200 specialist insurance products. It employs nearly 4,000 people, including several hundred in Kent.

Since it was founded by Mr Cullum, Paul Dyer and Tony Proverbs in 1997, it has acquired 138 specialist insurance businesses.