Founded by David and Kathy Beere in Croydon in 1964, the company is now run by their three children, Jerry, Samantha and Nick.
Morton Michel was the first company in the UK to offer insurance for registered childminders and nannies.
It now provides insurance to more than 40,000 childcare providers across the country, including 23,000 childminders and nannies, 9,000 nurseries and playgroups and 5,000 out- of-school clubs and holiday playschemes, as well as other social and voluntary groups connected to childcare.
Company director Jerry Beere suggested that the secret to the company’s success was twofold. ‘We focus on one area, and we can be responsive to the needs of the industry. Our main focus is always childcare, so we can be very specialised. Over 50 years we’ve gained an incredible amount of expertise and understanding of the childcare industry and we pick up very quickly on changes to laws and guidance.
‘Every now and then another organisation will come into the market, but they’re usually unsuccessful because they don’t understand the industry or the nature of the risks they’re underwriting. Our policies have to be absolutely tailored to specific activities taking place, whether that’s administering medicines to children or the use of bouncy castles.’
He added, ‘Being a family business is a big part of it. People still ring up and ask after our father. There’s been that continuity throughout. We’ve even had the same underwriters for 50 years, which is very rare. That kind of longevity means that our clients get a policy which is absolutely suited to their needs.’
Childcarers will be able to purchase discounted tickets and under-threes will receive free entry to Legoland Windsor for the company’s birthday party in June. Benefits on the day will include free car parking, refreshments and a meet-and-greet session with characters at the amusement park.
A variety of competitions and raffles held throughout the year as part of the celebrations will offer prizes including days out, free childcare insurance and Morton Michel online shop products. Facebook and Twitter followers of the company will have the chance to win 50 prizes in competitions held on 50 Fridays in 2014.