Britain’s largest insurer of historic buildings has offered its help to the French authorities over rebuilding Notre Dame cathedral.
Ecclesiastical, a financial services group owned by a charity, has experience insuring old and valuable buildings. The company insures more than half of Britain’s grade I listed buildings, with its sites including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Royal Albert Hall.
Mark Hews, 50, chief executive, said that he had been saddened by the fire in Notre Dame. “We have offered to supply teams of specialists and are waiting to hear,” he said, adding that Ecclesiastical put huge efforts into helping its clients to prevent fires.
Founded 130 years ago, the Gloucester-based company has 1,600 staff and a presence in Ireland, Canada and