Ecclesiastical is to restructure its operations, which will see the closure of five offices and the opening of two regional underwriting centres in Gloucester and Newcastle.
The insurer is set to close offices in Harrogate, Edinburgh, Belfast, Bristol and Cardiff.
It will also expand its offices in Manchester, Birmingham, Eastbourne and Cambridge to give it six regional underwriting centres in total. The City office operation in London will be maintained.
The company claimed the move would improve broker service standards.
Ecclesiastical's managing director Graham Doswell said: "Our research tells us that brokers want to deal with underwriting decision makers directly. Improving our service to them is therefore our number one priority.
"However in times that demand lower expense ratios, making the necessary investment imposes hard choices. Five smaller branch offices will close, as will the intermediary services department at head office in Gloucester.
"Initially, approximately 40 posts will be affected by these changes. But those people with the relevant qualifications and experience will be offered jobs in the new regional underwriting centres."
