Covéa takes regional underwriters from Arista, UK General and AXA

Covéa Insurance has hired several commercial lines underwriters as it looks to win business in the regional mid-market commercial sector and develop its schemes and micro SME business.

Martin Hyde has joined from Arista as regional underwriting manager for the company’s Newcastle and Glasgow regional offices.

Suzanne Thomas has joined from UK General as senior underwriter for the north east area, and Anthony Leonard, from AXA, has joined Covéa’s Manchester office as motor trade regional underwriter.

In the South, Nick Cook and Steve Chinn have been promoted to regional underwriting managers for the company’s Chelmsford and Reading regional offices respectively, with Bill George, joining from Aviva as business development manager for the south. 

Covéa’s commercial lines book grew by £15m to £100m gross written premium last year, and it has targeted £170m by 2016.

The company’s commercial lines director Simon Cooter said: “I’m delighted that we’re continuing to attract strong, talented individuals to our business and providing meaningful career progression for our established team. Our ongoing investment in people demonstrates our intent to have the best local trading teams, which we believe is the single biggest difference we can make to brokers and their clients.”