Re Brown Underwriting is undergoing major nationwide expansion opening a new Home Counties branch, based in Reigate, Surrey following another which recently opened in Leeds.

RE Brown already has underwriting wings in London, Manchester and Birmingham. Branch offices are intended to provide local brokers and businesses with direct access to experienced underwriters.

The expansion follows the new rules which Lloyd's will adopt in June which open the market to a wider audience.

The Home Counties branch is being headed by Steve Valentine, formerly of St Paul Insurance. It will also include property underwriter Raymond James, formerly of GAN and professional and financial risks underwriter Craig Comrie, formerly of Royal and Sun Alliance.

RE Brown managing director, Steve Carroll said: "Business which emanates from the South East is very important to us and we feel that a greater local underwriting presence will help us to build upon the strong foundations which already exist."

The Leeds branch is led by Brian Grayson. His team will include professional and financial risks underwriter, Jan Travis, formerly of London & Edinburgh, and Damian Cannings, property underwriter, formerly of Avon

Insurance.

Carroll said: "Having reviewed our operation in Yorkshire and the North East, we decided that a designated underwriting unit would enable us to enhance our levels of service.

"I am confident that this move will prove highly popular with our broker friends and help reaffirm RE Brown's commitment to this market."