We’re delighted to report that our founder Carole Nash has been honoured by the Queen in her birthday honours list.

Carole has been awarded an OBE for her philanthropy since she retired in 2006 from the business she built to become UK’s favourite motorcycle insurance specialist. In recent years she has proven a generous benefactor to charities local to her native Manchester. Beneficiaries of her generosity include the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Chetham’s School of Music, The Lowry, The Halle orchestra, Manchester Cathedral and The Princes Trust.

Talking to us Carole expressed her delight and amazement at receiving the honour: “When I received the letter marked On Her Majesty’s Service I thought it was a jury summons or parking ticket, so I put it to one side for a couple of days. I couldn’t believe it when I opened it. I’m obviously delighted and extremely proud to have been honoured for something I’ve always loved doing – giving back to the community.”

Carole founded Carole Nash Insurance Consultants in 1985 as a vintage and classic motorcycle insurance specialist. She later moved into the modern bike sector and then onto classic car insurance. Today the company employs over 300 people across the Altrincham and Dublin offices, with our policies now protecting 300,000 classic, vintage, modern, custom and off road motorcycles.

Chief executive David Newman was among the first to offer his congratulations to Carole: “Carole herself has proven not only to be a fantastic entrepreneur but a lovely lady, and a real people person. This honour recognises one of her particularly admirable qualities; her generosity towards those less fortunate than herself and causes which very much depend upon such magnificent philanthropy. I’m absolutely delighted that her good works have been recognised by the Queen.”