Thistle chief exec looks to recruit underwriters with remit to write UK business

Thistle Insurance Services chief executive James Gerry is aiming to take greater control of underwriting authority from carriers.

Last month, parent JLT hived off its non-advisory businesses so it could be absorbed into Thistle. Gerry said he would now look at parts of the freshly integrated business where he felt there was enough expertise to take greater control of the pen from the carrier.

That would bring those books in line with Thistle’s core business, which has a high degree of underwriting authority. Gerry is also looking to recruit underwriters with a remit to write UK business. He wants to ensure the merged model “reflects the remuneration and business model which is Thistle”. He added: “I will only be looking to negotiate if I am convinced we have the underwriting wherewithal to ask for greater underwriting authority.”

Thistle controls about £150m of premium income, including caravan experts Compass and Wolverhampton-based Ingham.