The four new recruits will be based in four separate regions of the UK where they have strong broker relationships

Ageas has announced a new commercial lines underwriting team to work with brokers regionally.

The team is made up of four new recruits, who have all been hired as regional trading underwriting managers and will operate in four separate regions.

Martin Hyde will be based in the north region, John Thompson in the midlands, Tim Griffiths in the south west and Jason Leist in the south east.

Ageas has said these are locations where the new recruits already have strong relationships with brokers.

Strategy

Ageas has been undergoing a management restructure, and has stated its strategy is to grow its commercal lines book in the UK.

Changes have included a new chief financial officer, and a partial exit from travel insurance. It has also closed offices in Port Solent and Stoke as it seeks to transform the business.

The new team will dovetail with Ageas’s existing broker sales force, designed to make it easier for brokers to access underwriters across the regions.

Ageas chief underwriting officer Adam Clarke said: “We know brokers already enjoy close working relationships with our broker account executives. The new regional trading underwriting managers complement this team.

“By connecting with small and medium-sized independent brokers looking to discuss options for their SME commercial business they will offer a ‘drains-up’ look at bespoke business opportunities.

“Whether traded traditionally, digitally or as a scheme,  our new regional trading underwriting managers will provide a service that will be particularly appealing to brokers looking for long-term opportunities they’re unable to secure with some of our competitors. ”