Birmingham-based broker Jobson James & Associates aims to break the £1m premium income barrier by expanding its trade credit insurance book.

The broker, whose premium income currently exceeds £300,000, has appointed former Marsh executive Stephen Dyke to lead the push.

Jobson James director Jon Parry claimed national brokers were moving away from a service-led approach to trade credit insurance, leaving the gap to be filled by independent brokers.

"We can offer a nationwide service which is based on local, face-to-face contact and protects business assets in a personal way," Dyke said.

Parry said he expected to see demand for trade credit insurance rise over the coming 12 months.

He said deteriorating trade conditions, increases in inflation and the rising tide of insolvencies would fuel demand for the product.