ALLIANZ UK BECOMES OFFICIAL PARTNER OF BRITISH PARALYMPIC ASSOCIATION

Allianz UK has announced it has become an official partner of the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

The new sponsorship agreement will start in January 2016, as the BPA’s preparations for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games step up another gear. Allianz will be supporting the BPA as it prepares to send the ParalympicsGB team to compete in Brazil, where they will be looking to produce the kind of medal winning performances that captivated the nation during London 2012.

The new partnership with the BPA supports Allianz’s commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity, and excellence, both in the workplace and in the world of competitive sport. The Allianz SE Group has a longstanding relationship with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), of which it has been a partner since 2006.

Jon Dye, chief executive, Allianz Insurance, commented: “We are very proud to become an official partner of British Paralympic Association. This is an exciting time to be teaming up with a very important organisation, following such a successful performance from the ParalympicsGB team during London 2012, which gained incredible support from the British public.

“Allianz has been a partner of the International Paralympic Committee since 2006, so I’m delighted that we’re now helping such an inspirational organisation in the UK, whose vision reflects our own ambitions for inclusivity so well.”

He added: “Our employees are passionate about this partnership and the idea of making sport accessible to everybody. We are very much looking forward to supporting the ParalympicsGB athletes achieve even more success in the Rio 2016 games and beyond.”

Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the BPA, commented: “Allianz have been a long-term supporter of the Paralympic movement globally and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome them into the Paralympic family here in the UK.

“As Paralympic sport becomes ever more competitive, their contribution will be incredibly valuable to the team next year and help to support our athletes as they prepare to compete on the biggest stage in disability sport.

“We are delighted to partner with a business which has such a good understanding of the powerful and positive impact of the Paralympic movement and it is fantastic to have them on board at such an exciting and vital time.”

Allianz Insurance joins the BPA as an official partner alongside existing official partners adidas, BP, BT, Deloitte, EDF Energy, Hogan Lovells, Mondelēz International, Nissan and Sainsbury’s. The BPA is also supported through UK Sport and the National Lottery.

ENDS

Media Enquiries

Please direct media enquiries to Tash Carpenter, Communications Manager or Katherine Allin, Communications Officer, via our Press Office email press@paralympics.org.uk or the duty press office phone 07717 587 055.

For Allianz media enquiries, please contact Sian Glennane, PR Consultant: sian.glennane@allianz.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

About Allianz

Allianz Insurance is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz SE Group, the largest property and casualty insurer worldwide.

Around 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz's knowledge, global reach, capital strength and solidity to help them make the most of financial opportunities and to avoid and safeguard themselves against risks. In 2014, over 147,000 employees in more than 70 countries achieved total revenues of approximately 122.3bn euros.

About The British Paralympic Association

The British Paralympic Association is the National Paralympic Committee for the UK, responsible for the promotion of the Paralympic movement in Great Britain and selecting, entering and funding the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic team.

ParalympicsGB is the name for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic Team that competes at the summer and winter Paralympic Games. The Team is selected and managed by the British Paralympic Association, in conjunction with the national governing bodies, and is made up of the best sportsmen and women who compete in the 22 summer and four winter sports on the Paralympic Programme.

There is only one Paralympic team from Great Britain and Northern Ireland; ParalympicsGB. There is not a Paralympic swimming team or Paralympic tennis team. The individual sports join to become ParalympicsGB, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic Team.

We are proud of our tradition of outstanding performance at the Paralympic Games: ParalympicsGB finished second in the medals table at three consecutive summer Paralympic Games and won 120 medals at London 2012.

The BPA would like to thank the National Lottery and our official partners adidas, Allianz, BP, BT, Deloitte, EDF Energy, Hogan Lovells, Mondelēz International, Nissan and Sainsbury’s for their support.