Beazley, the specialist Lloyd’s insurer, has entered into a five year partnership with British Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic sport. Beazley will be the principal sponsor – as well as the official insurer – of British Fencing until the end of 2015, building a lasting legacy in the sport.

Over the next five years Beazley’s £1million sponsorship will increase British Fencing’s current level of funding by 32%, providing a real impetus for medal hopes in 2012. With Beazley’s support, British Fencing is aiming to double the number of British fencers provided with the financial assistance they require to dedicate themselves to fulltime professional training.

Britain’s fencers are already proving their intent on the international stage, with the men’s foil team earning a bronze medal at the European Championships in Leipzig in July 2010. This was the first major international medal for the quartet comprising Laurence Halsted, Ed Jeffries, Richard Kruse and Marcus Mepstead. Kruse also won individual bronze in the men’s foil.

“Fencing in Britain is an unsung success story,” said Piers Martin, Chief Executive of British Fencing. “In the past ten years we have increased participation, doubled our membership and with a small amount of funding our top fencers have leapt up the world rankings, winning medals at both individual and team levels. However our constrained finances have meant agonising budget decisions over which athletes and activities we can and can’t support. Beazley’s generosity will make an enormous difference to the sport in this country.”

Andrew Horton, Beazley Chief Executive said: “Fencing combines discipline, agility and precision – all qualities we admire at Beazley. It is also a sport to which we can make a meaningful contribution, both at the highest competitive level and through fencing schools throughout the country.”

The £1m investment will be split across:

1. Great Britain teams (including Paralympic hopefuls) for the purposes of supporting athletes, their training, competition attendance and equipment.

2. The British Fencing National Academy, which is the training base for potential Olympians, including training venue hire, equipment, and travel to international competitions.

3. Increasing grassroots participation and introducing people of all ages to the sport.

4. British Fencing run events, including World Cup events, which will help build a world class events programme in Britain and develop our athletes.

5. Marketing and promotion of the sport – taking the sport to more people, building interest and participation.

For further information, please contact:

Beazley Group

William Pitt

T: +44 (0) 207 674 7490

Louise Nash

WSM Sponsorship Ltd

5th Floor, One Bow Churchyard, London, EC4M 9DQ

t. +44 (0) 207 183 4615

[email protected]

For further information in relation to this or other British Fencing matters, please contact:

Karim Bashir

British Fencing Communications Officer:

[email protected]

t: 01277 375 802

m: 07855 252 546