Gloucester-based Ecclesiastical Insurance has been named the 7th biggest giver to charity in the UK, behind the likes of Lloyds TSB and Marks and Spencer and ahead of Shell and Fidelity Investment Management.

The listing, produced independently by the Directory of Social Change, ranks companies based on total pre-tax donations to charity. Ecclesiastical’s giving figure includes its ‘regular’ grant to its charitable owner as well as additional grants given during the year.

Seven of the top 10 corporate givers are financial services companies. Ecclesiastical is the 28th-biggest UK insurer, but it is the only dedicated insurer in the top ten.

Group Chief Executive at Ecclesiastical, Michael Tripp, said: “We’re very pleased that our charitable support has been recognised. I hope that naming the companies that give most will encourage others to follow suit. Economic circumstances at present may mean some charities are seeing donations from the public dry up, so it’s all-important that the corporate world in particular continues to put its money where its mouth is and offer support.”

Directory of Social Change (DSC) Senior Researcher and Author John Smyth said: Companies invested over £800 million in the voluntary sector last financial year, but the majority of cash donations came from a core of committed companies. In fact, three quarters came from just 50 of the 500 companies surveyed in our company giving guide."

"The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group was a major contributor, donating £14.1 million in 2007, a £3.4 million increase on their contribution from the previous year. It is companies like Ecclesiastical that make a significant impact on the organisations they support and lead the trend in company giving.”

Top 10 corporate givers by UK community contribution

1. Barclays PLC, £38.9 million

2. Lloyds TSB Group plc*, £37.5 million

3. HBOS plc, £18.6 million

4. HSBC Holdings plc*, £18.4 million

5. Marks and Spencer Group plc, £15.0 million

6. Northern Rock plc*, £14.3 million

7. Ecclesiastical Insurance Group plc*, £14.1 million

8. Shell*, £13.0 million

9. Fidelity Investment Management Limited*, £11.8 million

10. HESCO Bastion Limited*, £11.5 million