’We are committed to investing in broker relationships and giving them easy access to underwriters,’ says chief executive

Commercial and real estate managing general agent (MGA) Ventis has officially opened for business in the UK, a statement released yesterday (11 January 2024) said.

The business will “work closely with a select group of partner brokers” to target medium-sized property risks from £50k to over £1m, which Ventis claimed was an area “overlooked” in the UK insurance market.

Cover extensions offered by the MGA will include buildings, loss of rent, employers’ liability, property owners’ liability, terrorism and optional legal expenses.

The team will be led by chief executive Gareth Roberts, who previously served as head of Covéa’s mid-market specialist and network division.

Roberts said that “Ventis is designed to be a breath of fresh air for the property insurance market”.

“Our ethos is based on prioritising high-quality service to brokers and clients and using this as the platform to build productive partnerships that will last for the long-term,” he added.

“We provide flexible underwriting services to the same high standards as the major players, but are committed to investing in broker relationships and giving them easy access to underwriters, as well as rapid service delivery.”

‘Huge opportunity’

Underwriters that have joined the Ventis team include senior development underwriter Holly Mist, senior development underwriter Rob Murton and underwriter Zoe Hughes.

Accelerant Insurance Europe provided long-term capacity for the launch, which was also supported by Mission Underwriters.

The announcement followed the firm revealing its plans to “fill unloved gaps in the property market” in December 2023.

“I believe there is a huge opportunity in the market for a real estate MGA that is willing to invest in broker relationships and can provide real and flexible underwriting service to the same high standards as the major players,” Roberts added.

“Our business model is built on giving brokers easy access to underwriters and rapid service delivery so that we can build partnerships that will last for the long-term.”