Underwriting agency plans expansion strategy

Commercial lines underwriting agency Arista is planning a move into the Midlands market as the next step in its regional expansion.

The underwriter, which is currently represented in Manchester, Bristol, Redhill and Southampton, could soon add Birmingham to its list of regional offices.

David Aslin, South West regional manager at Arista, said discussions were taking place. “We are currently looking and talking to brokers in the Midlands,” he said. “We will look at other areas all the time. There are still certain gaps in the UK that we are looking to fill.”

Aslin said the group already deals with a number of brokers in the region, but would like a central office to help grow its current book of business which includes office, motor fleet and commercial combined.

“We have had contact from brokers in the Midlands and elsewhere where we have signed up those agents and attached them to an existing region,” he said.

He revealed that the business was keen to increase its presence around the UK but said it was vital to build a picture of the Midlands first.

“In almost every case before we have actually set ourselves a location we have gone out and looked at a geographical location and talked to the brokers and canvassed their views on who are the big names in the market and what the market is like,” he added.