Effective from 1 January 2012, the VAN AMEYDE Group has bought a majority share in Warsaw-based claims management organisation PROFIBIZ. Recognising the importance of the Polish insurance industry in the emerging CEE Market, VAN AMEYDE wished to raise its profile in the country. Having worked together with PROFIBIZ in the area of flood-related property claims, the partners agreed to cement the relationship through this acquisition.

Mr. Krzysztof BACA, CEO and owner of PROFIBIZ, Ms. Agnieszka KAMINSKA, COO and Vice President of PROFIBIZ, and Mr. Piet MIDDELKOOP, CEO of the VAN AMEYDE Group, signed the purchase agreement.

The motor and bodily injury claims handling activities of VAN AMEYDE CEE Poland have already been incorporated in PROFIBIZ, now rebranded VAN AMEYDE Polska. VAN AMEYDE's claims handling team is now employed by VAN AMEYDE Polska, thus guaranteeing the continuity of the handling of Fourth Directive claims, as well as Green Card claims, outsourced by VAN AMEYDE's Polish fronting company UNIQA.

As a result of the takeover of shares, the current Management Board of PROFIBIZ will be joined by a representative of VAN AMEYDE Group - Mr Krzysztof JABLONSKI, the present Managing Director of VAN AMEYDE Central and Eastern Europe. He will be responsible for sales and marketing of VAN AMEYDE Polska.

"This acquisition will enable operational cooperation, which will ensure increasing added value to the previous activities of both companies. VAN AMEYDE gets access to the Polish market, and PROFIBIZ can explore new opportunities related to VAN AMEYDE's 65 years of experience in more than 28 countries", said Krzysztof JABLONSKI, Member of the Management Board, VAN AMEYDE Polska.

PROFIBIZ has celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The company boasts an impressive clientele of leading Polish insurance companies. PROFIBIZ has a network of claims handlers throughout Poland, and employs some 60 claims adjusters as well as skilled desk top claims handlers who have degrees in engineering, mathematics, medicine, law and other disciplines. They deal with a wide variety of claims in the areas of Motor, Bodily Injury, Accident & Health and Property, including overflow related to natural disasters such as the 2010 floods. PROFIBIZ' 2011 turnover is estimated to exceed PLN 7 million (approx. EUR 1.5 million).

The VAN AMEYDE Group is Europe's leading claims management organisation, employing over 700 staff across Europe. The Group's 2011 turnover is expected to be up on 2010 by 3.3%, exceeding EUR 64 million.