THE winner of 2014's Large Business of the Year award is back to defend its title as Benenden looks to do the double in the Press Business Awards.

During 2015 the team, led by chief executive Marc Bell, continues to implement a vision of becoming the leading health and wellbeing mutual community in the UK from its headquarters in Holgate.

The firm's entry comes in a year full of anniversaries, marking 25 years of both the awards and Benenden's presence in York, as well as 110 years since Benenden was founded as a mutual society providing affordable tuberculosis treatment for post office workers.

Highlights over the last 12 months have included the launch of Benenden's latest product - a home insurance service, as well as welcoming more than 48,000 members, and recording a four per cent rise in income.

Benenden, which employs 253 people in York, has also received a fifth consecutive win in the healthcare category at the Moneywise ‘Most Trusted’ customer service award, and was listed at number 64 in the Sunday Times list of best not-for-profit companies to work for in the UK.

Amy Goodman, medial relations executive at Benenden, said: "The healthcare market continued to be challenging during 2014.

"Although modest UK economic growth has been experienced in recent years, this has not been sufficient to return the health cover market to a position of growth.

"Additionally, the NHS continues to experience high levels of demand on its services while at the same time needing to address its funding challenges. "The future of the NHS dominated health media coverage in the run-up to May’s General Election. Meanwhile, consolidation has also become a theme within our competitor group – with several key mergers during the year.

"Given the changing NHS landscape, the economic position and competitive environment, Benenden’s strategy of diversification through additional health and wellbeing propositions mitigates the risks associated with only offering a single product as has previously been the case.

"During the last twelve months, Benenden has built stronger links with the European Union and this has helped us build stronger networks with fellow European mutuals and to campaign in the European Parliament for stronger protection of the NHS within the proposed US/EU TTIP trade agreement.

"Benenden also held a successful reception for key UK and international healthcare stakeholders at the Houses of Parliament – launching research on the views of the public regarding UK healthcare over the term of the new Government."