ABC opens two branches

ABC Insurance, the broker distribution arm of Liverpool Victoria, is opening its eighth and ninth regional offices in Birmingham and Glasgow to target commercial business.

The insurer has poached a team from NIG to develop its Birmingham operation. Mark Hands, former Midlands area manager at NIG, will head the ABC office. He will be joined by Jason Booth and Mike Hemings, who were also part of the NIG Midlands new business team.

Jim Rennie will lead the Glasgow branch after joining from Zurich, where he was trading manager for Scotland. He is set to be joined by two or three underwriters.

Hands and Rennie will report to Mike Crane, head of broker underwriting for ABC Insurance.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Victoria will consider selling Hero, the broker arm of recently acquired Highway Insurance, after confirming it has received a number of offers.

John O’Roarke, general insurance managing director at Liverpool Victoria, said the insurer would “evaluate any existing and future offers” for Hero.

Personal lines broker Swinton has been tipped as a bidder.

Patrick Smith, its chief executive, said it was “aware” of the business but was not in negotiations.

BGL Group has also been linked to Hero, but has ruled out an approach.

Chris Hill, managing director of Highway, is set to leave at the end of January to join a start-up venture.

His departure follows the exit of Andrew Gibson, chief executive of Highway, who will leave at the end of the year.