Darwin Clayton forecasts 15% GWP growth from schemes

Independent insurance broker Darwin Clayton has forecasted 15% of its GWP will come from online sales of schemes by the end of 2014.

The prediction follows feedback from the firm’s SME clients for dedicated web-based processing and services, and comes in the wake of a comprehensive rebrand and web upgrade by the broker to better position the company for market growth.

Since Simon Henderson was made managing director of Darwin Clayton in November 2011, the firm has made major investments in its service and sales capability. The company, which specialises in security, shop-fitting and cleaning services insurance, also recently appointed Ashley Hoadley as sales and marketing director and is continuing to focus on staff development and recruitment, which includes an established apprenticeship programme, to complement the development of an effective online platform.

The online sale of schemes is expected to focus initially on small firms for whom buying online can be more efficient. Darwin Clayton is expecting to roll out the first schemes online over the next two to three months, and will then continue to update and expand functionality. The broker believes that 15% of its GWP could come via the online channel over the next 18 months as SMEs become more comfortable buying direct.

Darwin Clayton recently signed a partnership with Proximo to deliver a 24-hour motor claims service available seven days a week 365 days a year with an integrated legal expenses solution.

Darwin Clayton managing director Simon Henderson said: “We have made great strides in evolving Darwin Clayton into a modern, market-focused broker that is attuned to the needs of its clients. The company’s new strapline, ‘Evolutionary Insurance’, reinforces the fact that the changes are not revolutionary but an evolution. Looking ahead, we will be launching a range of new exclusive insurance products for our clients and, significantly, developing web-based products and services including a package for the smaller cleaning companies.

“Our schemes are also available on a wholesale basis – this provides brokers with a fresh and real alternative especially at a time when the market is so competitive. This complements our distribution strategy in terms of the way we are accessing the market: direct, via other brokers or, increasingly, online. I’m convinced we’re developing a very strong proposition in the UK market.”