The Unique Model of Ecclesiastical Insurance: A Force for Good
By David Lane, Managing Director, Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland
From the OKC Team:
At OKC, we are constantly exploring models that demonstrate how businesses can effectively combine profit with purpose. Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc and its parent, Benefact Group plc provide an inspiring example of how a commercial enterprise can drive significant social impact. This article highlights their unique approach and invites reflection on how similar initiatives could be embraced by other businesses in Ireland.
In an increasingly competitive and profit-driven insurance industry, Ecclesiastical Insurance (the Irish branch of Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc) is proudly part of the Benefact Group, stands apart with a unique proposition: our Group is owned by Benefact Trust, a registered charity, and we are a family of award-winning, specialist financial services businesses, which gives all of its available profits to charity and good causes. This model creates a positive impact on communities across Ireland and the other territories where we operate (UK, Canada, and Australia).
A Legacy of Purpose-Driven Insurance
Founded over 135 years ago as the Ecclesiastical Buildings Fire Office, Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc was originally established to provide specialist insurance for Anglican churches and has since expanded into sectors such as heritage, faith, charity, education, and the arts. In Ireland, we are proud to insure institutions like St Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Opera House in Wexford, and numerous charities and schools. Although the nature of our business has evolved, our ethos of social responsibility remains unchanged.
At the heart of our company is a purpose-driven model that ties business success to societal benefit. It is a model that resonates deeply with me and is one of the reasons I have spent over a decade leading this company in Ireland. The connection between financial performance and giving back is not only motivating but also helps attract talent and customers who share our values. People increasingly seek companies with a genuine purpose, and I am proud to say that at Ecclesiastical Insurance, our purpose is woven into the fabric of our operations.
How Ecclesiastical Insurance Works: The Benefact Model
We are part of the Benefact Group, a family of award-winning, specialist financial services businesses with a shared commitment to charitable giving. We give all available profits to our Group’s charitable owner, Benefact Trust, which independently awards grant funding to churches and charities working to make a positive and transformative impact on their communities.
The Group operates on the simple but powerful belief that business can—and should—be a force for good. Since 2020, Benefact Group has supported more than 700 organisations and transformed lives and communities through over 1,000 grants in Ireland. These contributions span grassroots groups like Galway SPCA and Wexford MarineWatch to national organisations such as Jigsaw, DePaul, and Children’s Books Ireland.
Our annual ‘Movement for Good’ awards, for instance, have been instrumental in funding projects with the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and Enable Ireland. We recently supported Children’s Books Ireland’s Free to Be Me project, which is bringing diverse and inclusive books to disadvantaged schools and fostering a love of reading for students across Ireland.
Real Impact Across Communities
Benefact Trust grants have enabled projects like DePaul Ireland’s graduate programme, equipping future leaders with the skills to address Ireland’s homelessness crisis. Our employees have further supported these efforts through volunteering, fundraising, and active engagement such as participating in DePaul’s Sleep Out.
Building Relationships and Understanding Risks
Of course, our commitment to good causes does not detract from our core mission: providing top-tier insurance propositions to meet the needs of our customers. In fact, our deep understanding of the sectors we serve—heritage, faith, education, and charity—enables us to offer highly specialised propositions. This expertise sets us apart from general insurers and allows us to tailor solutions that address the unique risks faced by our customers.
Our underwriting team, risk surveyors, and claims handlers are specialists who understand the specific challenges faced by churches, charities, heritage properties, arts organisations, and educational institutions. This specialist knowledge is essential for building the trust and long-term relationships that underpin our business.
We are a business with a purpose, committed to delivering on our promise to both our customers and the communities we serve. By combining specialist insurance expertise with a charitable giving model, we offer a proposition that is truly unique in the insurance world. It is a model that continues to inspire me, and I hope it will inspire others too.
From the OKC Team:
Ecclesiastical Insurance’s impact across Ireland demonstrates the tangible difference purpose-driven business models can make. Many of OKC’s clients have directly benefited from Benefact Group’s funding through the Movement for Good awards. As we enter a new year, we encourage our clients to explore how engaging with purpose-led organisations like Ecclesiastical Insurance can amplify their impact. To learn more about upcoming grants and opportunities visit the Movement for Good website.