’We have gained real traction across all our regional offices,’ says director

QBE has expanded its UK trading team as the insurer looks to bolster its relationship with brokers in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A statement released yesterday (2 October 2023) said the firm was planning to grow in the UK through to 2027 and was building it out its trading team to engage with broker partners.

As part of this, the QBE said Chris Long would take up the role as head of trading for Glasgow and Belfast.

He will be responsible for leading the regional underwriting teams in QBE’s Glasgow and Belfast regional offices, engaging with broker partners and customers and driving trading.

’Real traction’

Long will join QBE from Allianz, where he was the distribution manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

His appointment at QBE came after the insurer appointed four heads of trading for its other UK regions.

This includes David Round in Birmingham, Steve Field in Bristol, Janine Wood in Leeds and Stacey Flannery in Manchester.

Long will based in Glasgow and report to Andy Fitzgerald, director UK regions for QBE European operations.

“We have gained real traction across all our regional offices and Chris’s appointment will further strengthen our growth agenda in Glasgow and Belfast,” Fitzgerald said.

“We have an overall plan to materially grow in the UK through to 2027 and this appointment will further strengthen our ambition to position the UK Regions as a driving force behind our growth.”