Underwriter hires broker development manager

Commercial lines underwriter Arista has appointed Sue Speight as broker development manager for Yorkshire and the North East.

The company said the appointment would help cater for the growing number of independent brokers it is working with in the area.

Reporting to regional manager Paul Dooley, Speight is the first dedicated contact for this part of the country. She will have responsibility for building strong relationships with brokers in the region. As a result Arista is expecting to match the enormous success it has enjoyed since the launch of its Manchester branch.

Prior to joining Arista, Speight was regional property owners’ consultant for NU where she was responsible for the strategic development of the North East property owners’ portfolio.

Arista’s chief executive, Charles Earle, said: “We have been trading with brokers in Yorkshire and the North East for some time from our Manchester office. However our business is growing at a tremendous pace, so we are responding to broker demands by providing additional and locally based support in the North East.

“Yorkshire and the North East are very significant areas for independent brokers and so it is critical to get the right people on board to provide the service that has come to be expected of us. Sue brings a tremendous amount of insurance experience to Arista. She has worked in this region for many years and therefore her appointment is a great bonus both for us and our broker panel.”

Sue Speight added: “To be involved in developing this model from the ground up in a region I know so well is very exciting for me and I relish being a part of this success story.”