A Christmas thank you from Senior Operations Manager Andrew Evanson

2022 has been a busy one at Lancaster HQ and as I look back over the year, I feel a sense of pride in what we’ve achieved and our place in the community.

I always say it, but one of the best parts of our job is getting out to the shows, events and meets taking place around the UK and meeting you all. We love hearing about your classics, the stories behind them and what they mean to you. We know they are more than just a car, they are part of the family, and we continually look and assess the policies we have on offer to ensure they meet the needs of our customers and provide the right protection for you.

Future proofing our industry is something we’re passionate about and this includes ensuring that our industry is here to stay for future generations to enjoy. We know for many the joy of classics is about hearing the rumble and smell of the exhaust, but we’re also seeing a real movement with people converting their classic to an electric. At Lancaster, we can appreciate both sides of the wheel, so to speak, and can understand the pros and cons for both. We’re about offering choice to our customers, and whether you choose to keep your classic in its original condition or do in fact decide to change the engine to electric, we have a range of policies to suit you.

Attracting a younger audience to our community is high on the agenda for many. We launched our Bright Young Sparks initiative this year to support the young people in our industry who are striving to be a part of the classic car world and the finalists we’ve revealed so far have been inspirational! Our new Head of Car Club Relations, Steph, is also helping to lead the charge and is speaking to a number of our club partners, old and new, about how we can help them safeguard their club. We know a barrier for many young people into the industry, historically, has been getting the right insurance, which is why we’ve worked with our insurer partners to enhance our offering and are proud to now be able to arrange insurance for younger members.

We’ve also been enjoying some hands on restoration this year, going head-to-head with our friends at Classics World magazine to buy, restore and sell cars. There’s certainly more to it than meets the eye, but we’ll soon be revealing on our social media and website where the final two cars end up! Giving back is always important to us, and this year one of our initiatives was to help find Britain’s Favourite Charity with Practical Classics. Readers of the magazine nominated their favourite classic charity and we set off on a whistlestop tour of the country with the team in September, visiting the top five charities as voted for by you, including Sporting Bears and Prostate Cancer UK, two charities that are close to our hearts at Lancaster Insurance Services. It was incredibly moving to hear the dedication and selfless nature of some in our community and it certainly made me proud to me apart of it.

Lastly, I also want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Here’s to an exciting 2023 – watch this space!