News in brief

FSA warning on broker

The FSA has issued a warning against West Sussex broker Jeffery Flanders (Consulting), urging its customers with household contents, buildings and motor policies to contact their insurers to check that they have appropriate cover. The broker told the FSA that it had lost all financial records due to storm damage. A customer also claimed that he did not have the cover that was arranged by the company.

Heath Lambert expands

Heath Lambert has appointed two new recruits to its expanding Birmingham office. The broker has hired Adrian Moore, who recently left Perkins Slade, as an account director. Martin Wellbelove has joined as a development executive from Willis.

Burley joins Cobra

Sheffield-based commercial broker The Burley Group has joined the Cobra Network. The broker, which will add £16m in GWP to the network, specialises in haulage, coach operators, fleets and plant. Matthew Mawson, managing director at The Burley Group said: “Although we are a successful business, we wanted to strengthen our market position and protect our revenues.”

Aviva appointment

Aviva has hired Axel Schmidt as chief underwriting officer in the UK. Schmidt, who most recently was technical underwriting director for Zurich’s global corporate division, will take on overall responsibility for the underwriting, pricing and development of commercial and personal lines products in the UK. He will report to chief executive Igal Mayer when he takes up his new position early next year.