UK General to cut number of commercial brokers

UK General is planning to cut back on the number of commercial brokers it deals with in a move it said would help it improve its service.

The specialist insurer said it was not possible to provide the highest quality products, speed of service and overall business stability with 1,500 broker relationships.

It did not specify how many brokers it now plans to work with, but did say it is looking for “common ground” with regional and independent brokers and would help them obtain a “tangible advantage” in their region.

Mike Keating, UK General’s Commercial managing director, said: “We have worked hard to create a well-defined risk appetite and this means working with a smaller number of brokers.

“This won’t be an ‘off-the-shelf broker club’ approach and will be about forming bespoke, strategic alliances with each of our partners as we recognise that no two brokers are the same. This is the only way to provide a premium level of service and support that helps brokers grow their businesses.”

UK General has also appointed a number of regional sales managers to implement its new distribution strategy.

David Tasker has joined as regional sales manger for London and the South East from NIG. Matt Jackson, has transferred from UK General’s schemes sales team to become regional sales manager for Leeds and the North East England in July.

James Pirie has re-joined UK General Insurance Group as internal business development manager after working with the new business team of AXA Commercial Insurance’s Leeds Branch. He will be responsible for managing a panel of brokers based in the Midlands, Wales, the South East and West of the country alongside and brokers in the London Market.

Matthew Keniger, has been appointed internal business development manager for brokers in Scotland and Northern Ireland, based in Glasgow.