WARD Evans Group Plc, the York-based insurance broking and financial services organisation, has announced a comprehensive revision of its external image following enormous growth and diversification into business-to-business services.

The group, formed by three directors as a general commercial insurance broker in 1992, has since been one of the region's fastest growing companies.

One of them was Michael Kenney, chief executive, a finalist in the Business Personality of the Year category in last year's Evening Press Business Awards.

As well as being one of the UK's most respected commercial insurance providers, the group has made a distinct move toward providing a more 'holistic' service, offering other complementary business and corporate services as well as leading edge insurance products.

Between the company's three divisions (Ward Evans Corporate, Ward Evans Direct and Ward Evans Financial) the group now offers finance, business services, and pensions for small, medium and large UK enterprises.

With a commitment to IT and the Internet, Ward Evans also boasts industry-leading services such as on-line quotations and register of insurance - a first made possible by a 21st century approach to insurance and technology.

The company recently launched Ward Evans Corporate Intelligence - a ground breaking innovation in 'value-added' business services pioneered by the group.

Mr Kenney said: "Our branding has changed to reflect the successes and direction of the companies. Ward Evans Group has developed significantly over the last two years, and the emphasis has shifted from being insurance brokers to being an innovative provider of business services as well as financial and insurance solutions.

"The development of products such as the Ward Evans Corporate Intelligence resource and the availability of on-line policy details from our new secure website are ground breaking illustrations of our commitment to a value-added business approach."

The new direction and new branding comes as the group's five offices - in York, Leeds, London, Glasgow and recently Birmingham - and 175 staff are again set to break turnover records in 2001. Last year's turnover was £48 million.