Lampier boss gets key role at consolidator.
Jelf Group will step up competition with rival consolidators following the appointment of Bob Hearne as group markets director, insurance.
Alex Alway, chief executive of Jelf, said the appointment would allow the broker to continue its expansion by negotiating better deals with insurers.
“It is a similar role to what many of the other large brokers have,” he said. “It reflects the fact that we are growing so big.”
Hearne has been managing director of broker Lampier Group since it was acquired by Jelf in 2003.
He will be responsible for developing the strategic relationships and trading agreements with insurers, reporting directly to Alway. “He will be in charge of our placement strategy and all of our insurance business across the group,” Alway said.
“He will manage the key relationships. We needed someone to co-ordinate that and he will be the one voice.”
Jelf’s insurance business has grown to more than £220m gross written premium in the past 12 months following the acquisitions of Lampier, Mansons Insurance Brokers, Argyll Insurance and Clarke Roxburgh Insurance Brokers.
Hearne said he was “delighted” with his new role.
“My main objective will be to leverage the advantages of being a larger entity, and pass those benefits on to our clients,” he said.
Simon James, formerly deputy managing director, has been appointed managing director of Lampier.
Hearne will continue as chairman.
