The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has welcomed news that its loss adjusters for one of its major claims, Crawford & Company, have been shortlisted for a prestigious British Insurance Award in recognition of their work following the devastating Mor Brook landslip in January 2025.
Crawford, together with insurers Aviva and the Severn Valley Railway are in the running for the Major Loss Award at the British Insurance Awards 2026, the insurance market’s biggest celebration of innovation and excellence. The awards ceremony will take place on 8 July.
The nomination recognises the collaborative response to the landslip at Mor Brook bridge, towards the northern end of the railway, which was caused by Storm Éowyn. The collapse severed the line, preventing trains from operating the full route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth and resulting in a significant loss of income as passenger numbers fell.
Working closely with Crawford, Aviva, contractors and the SVR’s own staff and volunteers, the railway was able to accelerate repairs and reopen the full length of the line in July 2025. The return of services was marked by the iconic steam locomotive Flying Scotsman hauling the first train across the repaired section.
Paul Lofkin, president, UK & Ireland, Crawford & Company said:
“We’re proud to be recognised as a finalist for the Major Loss Award at this year’s British Insurance Awards. It reflects the strength of our Major and Complex Loss expertise and the commitment our teams bring to supporting people through some of their most challenging moments.
“Following the embankment collapse caused by Storm Éowyn on the Severn Valley Railway, we worked closely with Aviva, engineers and contractors to stabilise the site quickly and deliver a repair strategy that reduced the reinstatement timeline from 9–12 months to under six.
“That combination of technical expertise, collaboration and focus on outcomes sits at the heart of Crawford’s purpose of restoring lives, businesses and communities.”
Antony Bartlam, the SVR’s project manager for the Mor Brook repair, said:
“The Mor Brook collapse presented an extremely difficult and complex challenge. Having Crawford and Aviva alongside us managing the claim made a tremendous difference.
“From the outset, it was clear that their team understood the unique requirements of a heritage railway. We are not simply a commercial operation; we are custodians of an important part of the nation’s heritage. There was a responsibility not only to restore the railway as quickly as possible, but also to protect the heritage value it represents.
“Partnership working was central to achieving that outcome. Crawford and Aviva did far more than manage an insurance claim, they worked collaboratively with us to help safeguard a heritage asset for future generations. Without their support, the SVR would not have returned to full operation so quickly, enabling it to continue playing an important role in the lives of thousands of volunteers and countless visitors.”
The Major Loss Award recognises excellence in handling large and complex insurance claims. Crawford, Aviva and the SVR’s shortlisting highlights the successful partnership that enabled one of the most significant infrastructure repairs in the SVR’s recent history to be completed in record time, helping secure the future of the railway following one of the most challenging incidents it has faced.