UK General wins £1.6m travel deal

UK General Insurance Group has won a two-year deal with leading UK travel group Shearings to provide travel and motor breakdown insurance.

According to Karen Smith, UK General’s technical director, the business is worth in the region of £1.6 million.

“It’s the first major piece of business we’ve won since we announced our long term capacity deal with Fortis, and illustrates how the evolution of UK General into a leading specialist insurer is proving itself where it matters, among our customers,” she said.

Ian McInnes, procurement and projects director, of Shearings Group, said: “Giving peace of mind to our customers is essential, and the UK General team put together a compelling proposition. We were impressed with their specialist travel team, and we look forward to developing our partnership with UK General during the coming months.”

Elsewhere in the group, Kate McIntyre has been appointed director of direct sales and marketing.

McIntyre, who reports to executive chairman Howard Posner, will be responsible for all UK General’s brands, including the Simple brand, where she will oversee B2C business development.

She will also take responsibility for internal and external communications, group marketing and brand management for the wider UK General group.

Posner said: “It is a major coup for us that we have been able to recruit someone of Kate’s calibre to the team, and I think this reflects how far UK General has developed during the last twelve months. We have ambitious plans to grow Simple in the consumer space, and to build awareness of the UK General brand as a strong supporter of the UK’s independent broking sector.”

McIntyre said: “I’m joining at an exciting time for the business. The new capacity arrangements which UK General have agreed with Fortis have given us an excellent platform for growth. I’m looking forward to playing my part in getting UK."