THE chief executive of a leading York mutual has won a prestigious title based on the organisation’s strong financial performance since he was appointed.

Marc Bell, who has been at the helm of York-based health and wellbeing mutual Benenden since 2013, has been voted as a chief executive of the Year in the Finance Monthly CEO Awards 2016.

Finance Monthly is an international magazine providing a range of news, comment and analysis to senior level executives in the corporate sector.

The annual awards are peer-nominated, with the team at Finance Monthly reviewing entries against business performance to determine who should make the list each year.

Mr Bell’s nomination reflected Benenden’s strong financial performance in the three years since his appointment, coupled with launches of new products such as travel and home insurance, as well as continued high-performing customer service for Benenden’s membership.

Mr Bell said: “I am, of course, really pleased to receive this award, particularly as it is nominated by peers. Benenden is a fabulous organisation to work for, full of strong values and tremendous heritage.

“To guide any organisation through such a challenging period for the healthcare market is a privilege. I wouldn’t be able to do this without a fantastic team, and I want to give thanks to the entire staff body at Benenden who work hard every day for the benefit of Benenden’s members.”

Gwenda Binks, chairwoman of Benenden’s committee of management, said: “I’d like to congratulate Marc on this important award. Marc is an inspiring chief executive with a very clear vision, which is bought into by those who work with him.

“This award is well-deserved, thanks to an ongoing period of financial growth against the backdrop of a difficult market. Marc has also endeavoured to build strong links between the day-to-day operational side and the democratic branch structure of our mutual organisation.”

Mr Bell has 19 years’ of board service building and delivering growth strategies across organisations such as the Co-operative Group, EasyGroup and Granada Group.

He was appointed as marketing director at Benenden in 2008 and subsequently was made chief executive in 2013.

Benenden employs about 250 people at its offices off Holgate Road. It is a friendly society which was founded in 1905 and offers healthcare services that complement rather than replace the care offered by the NHS.

It is a five-time winner of the‘Most Trusted’ healthcare provider at the Moneywise Customer Service Awards from 2011 to 2015, and has been nominated for two categories in the 2016 Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts Awards.