Arista on recruitment drive to hit 2014 target

Commercial lines underwriting agency Arista is to embark on a recruitment drive as part of its plans to double business volumes by 2014.

The underwriter is looking to hire up to 50 new employees, including underwriters and related staff, to manage the increased volumes.

Arista has set itself a minimum 2014 gross written premium (GWP) target of £120m.

A key element of the plan, Arista said, is to build on existing broker relationships to gain additional business. To do this the agency will continue to work closely at an individual level with brokers and carry out detailed research to understand how it can become a more important commercial insurance provider to them.

However, the company does not plan to significantly expand its current independent broker panel and branch structure.

New products and services will be launched following close consultation with brokers and as opportunities are identified by the research.

On the operational side, developments include improvements to Arista’s online trading claims service and revisions to regional operational structures to manage the growing and changing demands from brokers. The agency will also focus on staff development.

"Arista is now trading profitably and has demonstrated underwriting discipline," said Arista chief executive Charles Earle in a statement. "Now the business is ready for the management team to do to what we have done successfully before which is take a robust business and maximise its potential for the longer term."

He added: "Many of the team were responsible for the growth of the NIG commercial business to around £500m GWP so we and the business are now ready to take things at Arista to the next level.”

Arista made a £682,471 profit in 2010.