Aviva expands trading office with five new appointments for brokers

Aviva has made five underwriting appointments to help boost its regional presence for brokers.

The new hires include Susan Lawson, Kevin Earnshaw, Dan Mewse, Dan Stokes and Dan Fysh.

They will be based in Aviva’s Bristol trading office and work with brokers in the city, as well as across Devon and Cornwall and south Wales.

Earnshaw and Mewse, who both join from Arch, will each take up the role of senior trading underwriter.

Lawson, who also joins from Arch, will become Aviva’s motor trade and fleet underwriter. The three appointees bring more than 55 years of experience to the insurer.

Meanwhile, Stokes and Fysh both join Aviva as trading underwriters.

Stokes joins from NIG, while Fysh is moving to the insurer from NFU.

Lee Grainger, branch manager for Aviva’s Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter trading offices, said: “I am delighted that we are able to continue to invest in our local business to attract some of the best underwriting talent in the region to further improve our speed to market and expertise.

“The appointments we’ve announced today underpin our commitment to being our broking partners’ first port of call – a true ‘local-first’ approach, where, regardless of size of business, regional decision-making and empowerment is at the heart of how we work, giving brokers confidence and trust.

2025 plans

The new appointments take the total number of underwriters across the south west and Wales to more than 60.

In addition to these appointments, Aviva will continue to grow its regional presence throughout 2025 with experienced hires and new market entrants in the mid-market space.

Aviva will also launch an apprenticeship programme, which will take on six entry-level apprentices.

Grainger said: “We have some ambitious growth plans across the south west and Wales over the next few years that aren’t just aligned to GWP, but also to people growth.

“A key focus for us will be the further development of our underwriting team, who have provided us with the platform for continued growth and investment through their commitment and consistency to the region and the level of broker trust that they have created.”