Leading UK mutuals come together in new partnership
A major partnership has been announced between two of the UK's leading mutual organisations, both of which are based in Yorkshire.
The York-based Benenden Healthcare Society and Harrogate-based Engage Mutual today unveil a new partnership to deliver and further develop the ‘Benenden Health Cash Plan' - a health cash plan product exclusive to Benenden Healthcare members.
The partnership comes at a time when mutuals are being promoted by the Government as an important model in the provision of improved public services.
Marc Bell, Marketing & Business Strategy Director at Benenden Healthcare said: ‘We welcome a partnership with Engage Mutual enabling us to offer an improved cash plan product and deliver a better service to our members.'
‘Mutual organisations have a major role to play in the provision of public services. This link between our two organisations will be of great benefit to the network of mutuals and strengthen our mutual ethos.
Andrew Haigh, Chief Executive at Engage Mutual said: ‘We are delighted that we will be working in partnership with Benenden Healthcare, and helping push the mutual agenda to the fore. Now, more than ever, people want to do business with organisations that understand their issues and put the customer first, which is what being a mutual is all about.'
The Benenden Health Cash Plan is exclusive to members of the Benenden Healthcare Society aged 17-65 years and provides cash back for a range of everyday healthcare treatments including optical expenses, dental treatments, some complementary therapies, grants for the birth or adoption of a child, grants for overnight stays in hospital and day surgery and world-wide personal accident cover.
The partnership will bring together two well-known mutual organisations of the Yorkshire region. Engage Mutual has supported Saint Michael's Hospice for more than 15 years, and works to improve levels of financial capability among young people. As sponsors of the Engage Super League since 2005, Engage Mutual has also provided help and assistance to a number of rugby league charities. Benenden Healthcare sponsor significant community events such as the York Community Pride Awards and Copmanthorpe Carnival. Benenden Healthcare also recently won ‘The Press' ‘Large Business of the Year' award.
Both organisations are active in the mutuals network through the Association of Financial Mutuals and Mutuo, whilst Benenden Healthcare is also a member of Co-operatives UK.
Engage Mutual will become the provider of the Benenden Health Cash Plan, which is marketed by the Friendly Healthcare Organisation Limited, a subsidiary of The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited. The Benenden Health Cash Plan covers over 30,000 lives and is expected to grow further in 2011.