Former Brightside placement chief is broker’s first commercial director

christian freer

Strategic Insurance Services has hired Brightside placement director Christian Freer as its first commercial director as it looks to develop its motor product distribution.

Freer worked at Brightside for seven years and was previously its head of insurer relations.

At broker and Lloyd’s coverholder Strategic he will be charged with reviewing the broker’s niche core motor lines business, improving its existing business, and developing new concepts.

Its current motor niches include car rental insurance, extended warranty, guaranteed asset protection, misfuel and glass repair.

Strategic chairman Tim Snowball said: “Christian is a highly respected and experienced professional in the UK motor insurance industry and we are delighted to have attracted someone of his calibre to Strategic.”

Freer left Brightside in September. Brightside does not plan to directly replace his role but in July it appointed Keith Jackson as group capactiy and carrier director, which it said would ensure consistency on placement, pricing and underwriting for its insurer partners.

A Brightside spoksewoman said: “Keith is expanding the team to grow the group’s technical underwriting knowledge and product capability to further broaden the group’s already substantial distribution capability.  We expect to announce a senior underwriting appointment shortly in support of these plans.”

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