Ecclesiastical Insurance has announced strong interim results which the group says demonstrates the success it has had in continuing to transform its business.

Ecclesiastical, which employs around 500 people at its headquarters in Brunswick Road, Gloucester, declared a half-year profit before tax of £42.2m, compared to £15.2m in the first half of 2016.

Gross written premiums (GWP) were up 9% from the same period last year at £166.0m.

The group was named 'Most Trusted Home Insurer' for the second year running in the Fairer Finance Spring 2017 Home Insurance table.

Next month it is set to grant £12m to charity, putting it in the top five for charitable giving of around 5.5m companies in the UK.

Mark Hews, group chief executive officer of Ecclesiastical, said: "The group has maintained a strong performance in the first half of 2017, once again demonstrating that running a business in an ethical way, for the greater good of society, is no hindrance to success.

"As the main insurer of iconic and historic buildings - including world heritage sites, palaces, castles, treasure houses, independent schools, cathedrals and churches - we secured significant new business across the group.

"Following the introduction of a new, modern and exciting proposition to parish customers in 2016, we continued to strengthen our church relationships at all levels."

Mr Hews added: "Our strategy has focused on strong underwriting disciplines and, combined with benign weather and favourable claims patterns, the first half of the year has delivered good underwriting profits and a healthy combined operating ratio (COR).

"Following considerable volatility in financial markets during 2016, we benefited from the steady rise in global markets in the first half of 2017, delivering investment returns of £40.1m.

"With the prospect of continued uncertainty from the UK leaving the EU and from global, political events, our strong capital position means we are well placed to weather potential volatility."

Mr Hews said Ecclesiastical's purpose was to do good for society.

"Our strong performance in the first half of 2017 means that in September, we can donate £12 million to our charitable parent to be distributed to good causes.

"Together, with our customers and business partners, we are building a different kind of company, with a caring, ethical and trusted way of doing business. That is our purpose and what drives our people and our organisation forward."