Jake Bennett started an insurance broking business from his home in High Wycombe in 1908. Since then, J. Bennett & Son has grown to become what it is today.

Since the company was founded all those years ago, Jake's ethos of attention to detail, allied to considerable knowledge and expertise, and good old fashioned personal service have remained the bedrock of what we offer to all our clients, both large & small.

In over 100 years of trading, we have arranged and looked after the insurances of some of the oldest and best known names in High Wycombe and the surrounding area. We remain committed to providing a personal service to all our clients and we happily embrace any new technology and systems that will enhance what we do.

Timeline

2021

J Bennett & Son feature in Insurance Age's Top 100 Independent Brokers 

2019

J Bennett & Son joins Brokerbility.

2017

J Bennett & Son acquire Mathews Comfort & Co who were established in 1851 in Oxford's city centre.  Russell Thynne is appointed a Director.  

2016

J Bennett & Son achieves coveted Lloyds Coverholder status

2015

J Bennett & Son move to their new home in leafy Piddington.

2014

Simon Bennett retires and Peter Sutcliffe takes over as MD.  Mark Nicholl becomes a Director. 

2013

Mark Nicholl joins the team as an Associate Director

2009

The Company merges with D G Carr & Co, another established High Wycombe broker. Peter Sutcliffe & his staff move into The White House and Peter becomes a director of J Bennett & Son. The newly enlarged company continues to trade as J Bennett & Son (Insurance Brokers) Ltd.

2008

The company’s centenary year. A centenary celebration was held at Bisham Abbey on 20th June

1999

The company buys two local brokerages: Price Picton of Marlow and J R Hardy of Holmer Green

1996

The Directors acquire the freehold of The White House

1991

Peter Rump retires and Simon Bennett takes over as MD

1989

The company buys two local brokerages: Lance Smith of Princes Risborough and JR Insurance Services. The company moves offices and incorporates all personnel within much larger premises at The White House, a former merchant’s house built in 1585 and situated on the High Street, High Wycombe. Robert Newton, now a partner at JR Insurance Services, rejoins the company as a director

1987

The company buys its first hot air balloon. Peter Dowlen, already an accomplished pilot, persuades his fellow directors that the company's image would be enhanced by such a purchase. Up & Away Ballooning Ltd is formed to own & run the balloon as a business, to fly fare-paying passengers

1984

Peter Dowlen joins as a director from Leslie & Godwin, a large Lloyd’s of London broker in the City

1983

Branch office opened in Bicester. Simon Bennett appointed as local director to develop business in Bicester

1981

John Bennett retires, Peter Rump takes over as MD and Simon Bennett is  appointed a director

1979

Robert Newton leaves to further his career with another local broker

1977

Leslie Harris retires

1974

The company, until now a partnership, is incorporated as a limited company and Simon Bennett joins after 2 years training with a Lloyd’s of London broker

1972

Robert Newton joins company straight from school

1967

Peter Rump joins as Financial Controller - accounting procedures and credit control improve dramatically

1959

Business moves to offices in Corporation Street, High Wycombe

1955

Jake Bennett dies and his son John takes over running the business from an office in High Wycombe. Leslie Harris is a partner in the business 

1945

John Bennett returns from active service in the war and joins the business

1923

John Bennett born on 19th February and Jake changes the name of business to J Bennett & Son

1908

Jake Bennett, (grandfather of Simon Bennett) starts an insurance broking business, run from the family home in Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe