HAZELTON Mountford has become the first privately owned insurance brokers in Worcestershire to be granted Chartered status.

The firm, which has offices in Edgar Street and College Precincts in Worcester, has been working towards the industry standard for the past two years.

Managing director Gordon Hazelton explained: "Achieving Chartered status has been a significant landmark for Hazelton Mountford. We have worked with our professional body to implement their Chartered framework which raises standards of capability and ethical practice. We view this new status and the corporate Chartered title as a commitment from us and all our team to an overall standard of excellence and professionalism, with constant evidence of that commitment to customers, partners and our employees.”

Achieving Chartered status has involved many of the 23 employees (including the three directors) gaining additional professional qualifications and ensuring these high levels of expertise are sustained daily at every level of the business. Chartered status is an elite standard shared by only five per cent of insurance brokers in the UK, and demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, knowledge and behaviour by highly qualified experts in their field.

Hazelton Mountford has grown from two members of staff to 23 across the group, in just six years.