SJL receives Lloyd’s broker status and opens a London office.

SJL Insurance Services has been awarded Lloyd’s broker status and is opening a London office in the financial district.

It has hired Tom Wood, who has previously worked for a Lloyd’s syndicate and a Lloyd’s broker, to head up the new division.

SJL will retain its Worcester headquarters, where its back office functions will continue to be run from.

It took SJL work spanning over a year to get Lloyd’s accreditation, which it achieved while recording growth of 45% so far this year. Founder and chief executive Simon Lancaster spoke of the firm’s “lofty ambitions.”

Lancaster commented: “‘We have made huge strides forward over the last 16 years, but these are undoubtedly the most exciting and significant so far. Having been working on it for well over a year we are delighted to have accomplished becoming a Lloyd’s broker. It provides us with unique and exclusive status along with direct access to the essential and wide London market.”