ERS takes AXA’s personal motor head

ERS has hired former AXA executive Jon Byford as head of retail underwriting.

He will join the Lloyd’s motor insurer, formerly known as Equity Red Star, at the end of August and report to underwriting director Mark Bacon.

Byford was previously head of motor personal lines intermediary at AXA.

He has also held roles at NIG and Lloyd’s.

ERS’s retail underwriting division includes modern private car, light commercial vehicle, motorcycle and motor breakdown.

Bacon said: “Jon brings extensive expertise across the entire range of retail motor products, and is very highly regarded by the many brokers that he has worked with.

“Not only will Jon help us continue the development of our underwriting capabilities in our retail team but he will be an excellent addition to our underwriting leadership team.”

ERS chief executive Ian Parker added: “It is just over a year since [private equity house] Aquiline bought ERS and the progress it has made towards profitability has enabled us to recruit people of the calibre of Jon.

“It is an indication of how confident the market is in the continued emerging strengths of the company.”