Underwriting and broking group Somerville Holdings has promoted David Whitaker to managing director of its specialist household subsidiary Plum Underwriting.

Whitaker was previously technical director at Plum having joined the company in November 2007.

Prior to that he was underwriting manager at Hiscox where he worked for 10 years.

Somerville chairman Andrew Cross said: "I am delighted to announce David's extremely well deserved promotion to the position of managing director at Plum.

"David's proven technical abilities and solid track record for growing profitable accounts give me every confidence that Plum will continue to thrive under his leadership, as it develops in its non-standard and specialist homes niches."