Cardiff's Watkin Davies is geared for growth, Dixon says

Former Jelf Insurance Brokers managing director Gina Dixon has returned to the market to head up a South Wales broker.

Dixon has become managing director of Cardiff-based business Watkin Davies, taking over control of the company from owner Roger Watkins, who has stepped back to become chairman.

Dixon left Jelf in September 2010 as it set about restructuring its insurance division, now headed by chief executive Phil Barton.

“I have taken a few months out to consider what I wanted to do,” Dixon told Insurance Times.

“I wanted to get out of the corporate world. You know when it’s time to go back to your roots.”

Dixon said Watkin Davies was a “sleeping giant” and would use a three-pronged approach of “people, acquisitions and organic growth” to grow the business.

The broker, which handles £10m of gross written premium, operates from two offices trading personal and commercial lines.

Dixon said that, despite the strong presence of Giles and CCV in South Wales, the company was geared for growth. “I do believe that gives us an opportunity,” she said.