Howden has completed the integration of Church of Scotland Insurance Services Ltd (COSIS) as of November 17.
The COSIS team, which has historically arranged cover for church properties through a bespoke scheme with Aviva, has joined Howden’s Edinburgh office and will continue to service COSIS clients.
The transition follows the Church of Scotland’s decision to step away from direct involvement in insurance, a move linked to the planned retirement of COSIS directors. Barry Clarkson, chief executive at COSIS, will remain in place to oversee deregulation and ensure continuity of service for congregations during the transition period.
Howden stated that, as part of its wider group, it will leverage insurer relationships, sector expertise, and market access to support not-for-profit and heritage clients. The firm said its approach includes addressing gaps in cover, managing premiums, supporting risk management, and ensuring fair claims settlement.
This integration comes at a time when many religious and heritage organisations in the UK are facing heightened financial and operational pressures. Since the pandemic, churches have reported a decline in donations, making it more difficult to sustain daily activities and plan.
Rising energy and maintenance costs are adding further strain, and some organisations have had to consider staff redundancies or other cost-saving measures. In addition, declining participation in religious services has contributed to uncertainty, even as some cathedrals have seen a rise in visitors post-pandemic.
In response to these challenges, churches and heritage bodies are increasingly adopting a more strategic approach to risk management. There is a growing shift from reactive measures to proactive planning, with investments being made in flood defences, improved building security, and digital tools to protect sensitive data.
The impact of climate change and extreme weather events is also being felt across the sector, particularly for historic and religious buildings. Many of these structures were not designed to withstand today’s climate, and adapting to more frequent and severe weather has become a pressing concern.
Limited funding and ageing infrastructure make it challenging for congregations to implement resilience strategies, underscoring the importance of insurance solutions that address both immediate and long-term risks.
