Congregational & General, the Bradford-based insurer, plans to bolster its turnover with a large-scale assault on the home and personal markets.

Established in 1891 to insure churches against fire damage, the company has since established itself in the commercial and home sectors.

And while it still insures 4,000 places of worship throughout the country, the Congregation sees the personal market as having great scope for its ambitious expansion plans.

After reporting an overall growth of 13 per cent for 2000, the Currer Street company is undergoing a shake-up to capitalise on the upward trend.

As part of a revised set of company goals, it aims to net £11 million in gross written premiums (GWP) - the money paid by clients for cover - on home business, by the end of March 2003.

Its overall GWP for year ending March 31, 2000 was £11m, with profit before tax of £1,284,000.

The firm said it had enjoyed great success with its two home products - Home Choice and Nest - which it launched around a year ago.

To support its shift in strategy, the company has restructured under three separate business units - one for churches, another for commercial and the last for home.

Paul Moran, the firm's sales and marketing director, takes responsibility for the home unit. He said: "Growth has already begun, we simply need to maximise the potential and provide extra momentum and direction. New targets in the Commercial, Church and Home sector are challenging, but we believe are achievable.''