Giles Insurance is set for further expansion after opening two new offices in Cardiff and Chester.

It follows the opening of a Manchester base in September 2006.

Giles Insurance said the Cardiff-based operation, which aims to generate £1m gross written premium in the first year, will be the hub of the company's motor trade business for south west England and south Wales.

The three staff based at Cardiff will report to Perry Glover, Motor Trade Manager for England and Wales, at Giles' Luton office.

The Chester hub will aim to generate £500k GWP in the first year. Headed by Neil Revill, the office will service retail and wholesale markets.

It follows the opening of a Manchester based office last September. The broker said the Manchester based business has secured 50 major contracts since it opened.

David Laughlin, formerly of Marsh, is head of the projects risk team. He aims to double the size of its business over the next 12 months and position itself as one of the leading players in the sector.

Meanwhile, Eric Taylor, one of the most senior insurance figures in the region, will look after Manchester's corporate business team.

Giles chief executive Chris Giles said: “A number of brokers have gone backwards or have put their expansion drives on hold recently.

“However, we are still growing – both through acquisition and into new locations and by adding new service lines.

“Our growth is organic and we are among the fastest-growing brokers in the UK

“Our new Cardiff office will provide us with a much stronger presence in Wales while our Chester branch opens up opportunities in North Wales and Liverpool.

“We now have 26 offices across the UK and specialisms across a number of areas including life sciences, charities, motor trade, recruitment, leisure, construction and PI.

The broker has delivered year on year growth, with a turnover run rate in 2006 of £36m and premium income of £150m.

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