Spanish mutual insurer Mapfre Asistencia is rolling out its brand to target growth in the UK.

The company offers assistance to motor and home policyholders outside the UK.

It had been attracted to the UK market becuase of the new FSA regime, said general manager Noel Quirke.

He said the company felt the regulator had created a "level playing ground" among market players.

"Players have become more diligent," he said.

Growth of the company will be driven forward with the launch of a new travel product in the UK.

It will also promote its motor and home assistance services which remain based in Ireland.

This will underline the focus on the Mapfre brand, Quirke claimed.

"Mapfre is a brand for brokers. We want to make people aware that there is an insurance giant in Spain which is coming to the UK," he said.

Targeting of new clients will come later in the development programme. "We will not be picking up clients for the sake of it. We aim to create long-term relationships which are profitable," Quirke said.

The business will undergo an internal restructure, with a UK management team in its London offices.

Quirke said Mapfre would expand its Galway call centre to meet the demands of the expansion, and look to recruit new staff in London.