C&C unveils new Employee Benefits division

Stockport-headquartered insurance broker, C&C, has officially launched C&C Employee Benefits, a new division to improve how businesses support their people’s health, protection and wellbeing.

C&C Employee Benefits Ltd, the new name and face of C&C Healthcare (Leeds) Ltd, signifies the next stage in the development of the independent broker, which will continue to be led by co-founder Andrew Middleton, who established the business seven years ago. Since then, Andrew has been instrumental in shaping its success and guiding it towards this broader, more future-focused proposition.

Under the new name, C&C Employee Benefits Ltd will centre on three key pillars: healthcare, protection and wellbeing; reflecting a market that has transformed in the wake of Covid and the modern shift in working patterns and employee expectations.

Andrew Middleton, Director of C&C Employee Benefits, explained:

“Health insurance remains at the heart of everything we do, but the workplace has changed dramatically since 2020. Including Employee Benefits in our name better captures who we are and what we offer. Hybrid working has become the norm and employers are using enhanced benefits to retain and attract talent. Protecting the wellbeing of employees now goes beyond insurance; it’s about looking after employees in every sense, whether through health assessments, employee assistance programmes or mental health support.”

The data backs this up. CIPD figures show that organisations with a stand-alone wellbeing strategy have risen from 44% in 2020 to 57% in 2025. At the same time, average sickness absence has climbed from 5.8 days per employee in 2022 to 9.4 days in 2025*, underlining the growing need for proactive support.

And with NHS waiting lists having almost doubled since 2020, the appeal of employer-funded solutions such as Private Medical Insurance (PMI), cash plans, and private GP appointments has never been stronger.

Andrew added:

“Demand for health and protection insurance, such as Group Life Assurance, Group Income Protection and Critical Illness cover is growing at the fastest rate I’ve seen in my 27 years in the industry. Providers have adapted, products are more competitive, and even simple cash plans can offer great value, for businesses as small as 3 employees. I can only see this trend continuing.”

Malcolm Cooke, Managing Director of C&C Insurance Brokers and co-founder of C&C Employee Benefits, said:

“Andrew has done a brilliant job growing the business under the Healthcare banner, but our offering has evolved hugely since 2018. The new name aligns perfectly with where the market and our clients are heading. We remain fiercely and proudly independent, with full market access and a client-first ethos, but C&C Employee Benefits is better positioned than ever to meet growing demand.”

Based in Leeds, C&C Employee Benefits will continue to support clients nationwide. The rebrand is accompanied by a new website and a renewed sponsorship of Yorkshire County Cricket Club; a partnership that reflects C&C’s continued investment in its home region.