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1908 Jake Bennett, grandfather of current MD, starts an
insurance broking business, run from the family home in Hughenden
Valley, High Wycombe.
1923 John Bennett born on 19th February. Jake changes name of
business to J Bennett & Son.
1945 John Bennett returns from active service in WW2, having
undertaken a correspondence course in insurance, and joins the
business.
1955 Jake Bennett dies. John takes over running the
business, which is now run from an office in High Wycombe High
Street (on the site which W H Smith now occupies). Leslie Harris,
John’s brother
in-law, is now a partner in the business.
1959 Business moves to offices in Corporation Street
(HW).
1967 Peter Rump joins the business, from Norwich Union, as
Financial Controller. Accounting
procedures and credit control improve dramatically.
1972 Robert Newton joins company straight from school.
1974 The company, until now a partnership, is incorporated
as a limited company. Simon Bennett joins company after 2 years
training with Lloyds broker.
1977 Leslie Harris retires.
1979 Robert leaves to further his career with another local
broker.
1981 John Bennett retires. Peter Rump takes over as MD.
Simon Bennett appointed director.
1983 Branch office opened in Bicester. Simon Bennett
appointed as local director to develop business
in Bicester.
1984 Peter Dowlen joins as a director from Leslie &
Godwin, a large Lloyd’s broker in the City.
1987 The company buys its first hot air balloon. Peter
Dowlen, already an accomplished pilot, persuades his fellow
directors that the company's image would be enhanced by such a
purchase. Up & Away Ballooning Ltd is formed to own
& run the balloon as a business, to fly fare-paying
passengers.
1989 The company buys two local brokerages: Lance Smith of
Princes Risborough and JR Insurance
Services. The company moves offices and incorporates all personnel
within much larger premises at
The White House, a former merchant’s house built in 1585 and
situated on the High Street, High Wycombe. Robert Newton, now a
partner at JR Insurance Services, rejoins the company as a
director.
1991 Peter Rump retires. Simon Bennett takes over as MD.
1996 The Directors acquire the freehold of The White
House.
1999 The company buys two more local brokerages: Price
Picton of Marlow and J R Hardy of Holmer Green.
2008 The company’s centenary year.
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