Having 600 staff doesn't make you a big fish in the world of insurance firms - but walking away with three of the most prestigious national awards in the sector does.

Ecclesiastical Insurance might well be one of the biggest private employers in Gloucester but alongside its competitors it is the David to their Goliath.

And just like the timeless fable the Brunswick Road headquartered world-wide business proved it was what you do and how you do it that mattered when it came to being judged at the Insurance Post Claims Awards.

If you are not in the industry - these are the ones everyone who is watches and wants to win.

David Bonehill, claims director at Ecclesiastical, said: "Taking home three awards is a wonderful achievement for Ecclesiastical and demonstrates our genuine commitment to doing the right thing for our customers.

"I'm very proud of the whole claims team, who work hard every day to go the extra mile for our customers, and on a personal level, I'm delighted to have been recognised by my industry peers."

The firm was recognised in the Customer Care (Individual). Sarah Cox, property technical claims manager, scooped that one.

She was nominated for the way she "consistently provides exceptional care and support for customers alongside practical cost-effective solutions, even in the most difficult of circumstances".

Amazing night for @Ecclesiastical fabulous to have our achievements recognised by the industry @Insurance_Post https://t.co/9mMsYPuCTb

— Sarah Cox ACII (@SarahCoxACII) June 22, 2018

The firm's submission included details of Sarah's brilliant work supporting St. Michael's on Wyre primary school in Lancashire following severe flooding.

Sarah was shortlisted alongside individuals working for LV and Chubb.

Its submission for the Training Award was based on our claims customer centricity training programme.

Using Myers Briggs personality types, the team learned how to recognise different customers' individual preferences and adapt their personal style to best meet the needs of the individual they are supporting, providing a genuinely personal touch.

Such a thrill to have been awarded The Achievement Award last night #PostClaims @insurance_post from MY profession. Huge thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way and particularly the fantastic claims team @Ecclesiastical @ciiggroup @BIBAbroker #claimsfaculty

— David Bonehill (@davidbonehill) June 22, 2018

The programme led to an increase in customer satisfaction and net promotor scores (a technical term for how willing a customer is to recommend a product) right across the team.

Ecclesiastical battled it out for this one against the big guns - Aviva, Legal & General, NIG/Direct Line Group Commercial and Swiss Re.

And last but not least the 400-plus guests at the Royal Garden Hotel event also saw Mr Bonehill awarded the Achievement Award.

Unveiling Bonehill as the winner, the Chartered Insurance Institute's Matthew Connell said the prize was warranted for his promotion of professionalism, including his time as chair of the CII's Claims Faculty, and for "never being shy of an opinion or two".