An insurance company has been named the 'Growth Business of the Year' at the Buckinghamshire Business First Business Awards.

Starpeak, a digital distributor of insurance to niche online markets, was announced as the winner at the awards ceremony on October 9.

The Stokenchurch-based company was one of three finalists in the category, which recognises businesses with at least five employees since January 2022, a turnover of at least £250,000 in the past year, and the potential or ambition to increase their turnover and/or profit by at least 50 per cent over the next three years.

The company's win comes after the company announced a 27 per cent growth in gross written premiums compared to the first half of 2023.

This growth has led to the company recruiting for several positions across the business, ranging from developers to project managers.

Julian Hucks, founder and managing director of Starpeak, said: "We are extremely honoured to receive this recognition - our second award in five months - which truly reflects the dedication of our entire team at Starpeak.

"While we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional service to our customers as we continue to grow and evolve.

"This acknowledgment inspires us to continue pushing forward, driving growth and delivering exceptional service as we continue to scale."

Andy Brownsell, commercial director of Starpeak, added: "Receiving the Growth Business of the Year award not only reflects our growth but also highlights the strong collaboration among our team, customers, and partners.

"We remain committed to developing innovative solutions in the specialised online insurance market, and as the industry evolves, we look forward to the opportunities ahead and to building on our ongoing momentum."

The awards aim to celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses in the Buckinghamshire area.

Starpeak, founded in 1991 as SportsCover Direct, changed its corporate name in 2023 to reflect a more diverse product offering.

The company provides insurance to more than 100,000 live policyholders across the UK in both the consumer and micro/SME markets.

Starpeak operates its consumer and business-facing brands: SportsCover Direct, a specialist in active travel and personal accident, and protectivity, launched in 2013, which specialises in commercial, leisure, and lifestyle insurance.

Starpeak's innovative technology and business model provide capacity providers with a unique avenue to reach niche markets, offering services alongside a frictionless, seamless, transparent, and superior customer experience.