CREWE company Health Shield has clinched a major industry award just ten months after launching an ambitious five year growth plan.

The non-profit friendly society, which specialises in healthcare cash plans for companies and their employees, has been crowned Group Cash Plan Provider of the Year at the Cover Excellence Awards 2009.

The awards are voted for by intermediaries across the UK, as well as a select panel of industry specialists.

Phillip Wood, director of sales and marketing at Health Shield, said: “The Cover Excellence Award win is a great accolade and testament to the vision and hard work of the entire organisation.

"It rubber stamps the significant progress we’ve already made, less than one year after implementing a new comprehensive business strategy.

“It’s been a very challenging year across the entire health insurance and protection sector.

"But, with a fantastic team in place, an extremely competitive product portfolio and an ambitious five year plan, we’re well on course to further increase market share and brand awareness as one of the industry’s leading providers of corporate health cash plans.

"Historically, a handful of cash plan providers have had the market to themselves.

"In the last few years, there’s been a major shift in the sector and Health Shield is now perfectly placed to take advantage of this change and increase its market presence.”