News
9 July 2026
Equipsme won not one but two Awards at the British Insurance Awards last night – named both Best Employee Benefits Insurer of the Year and Best Insurance Employer SME
The British Insurance Awards recognise significant innovation, outstanding achievements, and breakthrough talent across the UK general insurance industry, and are one of the highlights of the insurance calendar. Held at the Royal Albert Hall, this year the ceremonies were conducted by comedian, Traitor’s star and all-round national treasure Alan Carr.
The Awards are judged by a panel of industry heavyweights, representing every facet of the market.
Two of Equipsme’s co-founders, Gavin Shay and Andy Santoni, Distribution Director and Commercial Director, were on hand to pick up the award. Gavin says: “What an absolutely fantastic night. Andy and I were absolutely thrilled to be there with so many of our peers, and to actually win an award – let alone two – is a real privilege.
“Over the last year we’ve really focused on honing our products and services to support large, complex populations of first-time health insurance users. We’ve developed our broker relationships, expanded operations, and delivered some huge rollouts. And we’ve seen the impact of what we do on both businesses and on individual lives. Having that recognised by the BIA judges is the icing on top of a great year.
“It’s a year that couldn’t have happened, of course, without the brilliant Equipsme team. It’s their feedback that got us the Best Employer SME award, and which shows we’re not only doing the right thing by clients and members, but by our people, too.”
Second and Third BIA Awards
Matthew Reed, Equipsme’s CEO comments: “This is actually our second and third British Insurance Award, as we won one for best newcomer way back in our earliest days as a start-up. Receiving another TWO as a mature and growing organisation feels like a proper coming of age moment.
“We set out in 2018 to shake up health insurance and change health benefits for the better – making insurance cost-effective for more businesses, and more people in them who never thought they’d have private health insurance benefits.
“Now we’re making a real difference to skilled employees at organisations including UK Power Networks, EDF, Imerys, plus various banks, charities, hospitality chains and manufacturing firms. From heart operations to hip replacements, cancer diagnosis to physiotherapy rehabilitation, we’re helping get people back up and running – and back to work faster. I’m delighted that work and the difference we’re making was recognised last night.
“For me though, the Best Employer Award is particularly special. It’s awarded based on the feedback of a company’s employees – and I’m really humbled that everyone at Equipsme took part and really championed not just what we do but also how we do it.
“When we set out to do PMI differently, we also set out to do it our own way. As founders, we’d all experienced the very worst of corporate culture, with its clocking in and out, presenteeism and politics. So we wanted to make a business that would actually work for the people in it.
“We think good people are the key to everything we do, and we go out of our way to make sure we support them. At the end of the day, it’s about giving people the respect and trust they deserve. Because if you’ve recruited right, they always pay you back – with interest.
“Our first BIA resides in the little loo of our very first employee. This one belongs to everyone, and will be taking pride of place in our office.”
Ends
