Beckenham global risks team to be relocated to London

Sixty jobs are under threat at Miller Insurance Services following plans to relocate part of its retail business to London, Insurance Times has learned.

The UK retail division's global risks team will be transferred from the Beckenham office in Kent, to the City, according to a market source.

It is believed the team of eight will join a new group targeting the FTSE 350 companies, and will take many of Miller's large corporate accounts with them.

Jon Warwick, formerly of Aon, has been headhunted to take on the role of director of corporate risks UK and Europe, at the London office.

The retail arm in Beckenham includes a high net worth, schemes and technology team, and the relocation of staff could leave about 60 jobs hanging in the balance.

A senior source said: "What's left when the global risks team go? You will have 60 people, looking after brokerage income that won't stack up with the numbers there. It could cause a real worry.

"I can't believe they would close the office, but it's possible that what might be on the cards is downgrading."

A Miller spokeswoman confirmed that the management of Miller UK corporate accounts would move to London.

The decision was taken "to support a new business strategy, to further develop specialised areas for complex and large risks".

The accounts are expected to be moved across by January.

The company declined to comment on the threat of job losses.