Rural Insurance unveils new MD

Rural Insurance, the agricultural insurance arm of UK General, has hired Simon Stevens as its new managing director.

Stevens will join Harrogate-based Rural from Britannia Rescue, where he was general manager, on March 1.

The appointment sees him re-united with former HBOS colleague Howard Posner, who is executive chairman of Rural Insurance.

Stevens said: “The agricultural sector is dominated by NFU and a small number of specialist players, including Rural, but I am convinced there are ample growth opportunities in this market.

"Agricultural businesses are diversifying fast from traditional food production into leisure, tourism and specialist food production.”

He added: “Rural has a well-earned reputation for providing high quality agricultural insurance products to clients, however, there is a major prize to be won from broadening our focus and tapping into diversification, where our customers can take advantage of Rural’s specialist underwriting capabilities and our commitment to delivering underwriting and service excellence.”

The appointment means Lance Harvey, one of the founders of Rural Insurance, has relinquished his duties as managing director but retains his position on the board as deputy chairman, a new role.

Posner said “Simon has a track record of success after success, and having worked closely with him in the past at HBOS I know he has all the skills to bring the same to Rural.”