Bluefin's SME underwriting business in run-off

Up to 44 jobs are at risk of redundancy as a result of Bluefin’s decision to put its Elite underwriting facility for SME business into run-off, Insurance Times has learnt.

A Bluefin spokesman said the AXA-owned broker was in consultation with the affected staff over their future.

It is hoped that the risk of immediate redundancy will be minimised by a number of run-off roles - expected to last more than a year - new roles and redeployment within Bluefin and the wider AXA group.

Elite, which was formerly part of Layton Blackham, has been dumped in favour of expanding Bluefin's existing Platinum product range, a similar business which is based on the Acturis platform.

The insurers partnering Bluefin in the first phase of the new strategy include AXA, Aviva, RSA and Zurich. Bluefin said the move was designed to "improve customer service and operational efficiency".

The spokesman added: "Elite has served us well for many years but a strategic review established that we could serve our customers better and improve our own profitability by enhancing our Platinum product which is a tried and tested solution for shops, offices, hotels, pubs, restaurant and other SME businesses.”