Commercial insurance underwriting agency APC is to move headquarters in mid-September from Chadwell Heath, Essex to Leadenhall Street, EC3. It has also hired Graham Young as European business development director, subject to FSA approval. These developments add to APC’s recently gained Lloyd’s accredited status bringing its ambition to expand into Europe closer.
Graham brings 28 years’ industry experience and joins from Heritage Underwriting Lloyd’s syndicate where he was class underwriter for fine art and UK and European property. Graham’s experience will not only help APC establish a presence in Europe but will also help its existing 800 UK regional brokers develop their businesses – particularly with affinity groups and niche specialist lines.
APC’s new location in the City, with its close proximity to Lloyd’s, will help leverage its accredited status and direct access to Lloyd’s underwriters for the maximum benefit of the UK business and the fledgling European operation. Lloyd’s accreditation will allow APC the additional facility to place larger risks and a broader range and will also increase the speed of service brokers receive.
APC chief executive officer Brian Russell said: “We are extremely pleased to be joining the City-based insurance community and to have secured the substantial talents and experience of Graham Young. Both will be of central importance in growing the UK business and starting up and developing our European operations.
“The significant developments of gaining Lloyd’s accreditation, relocating to the City and hiring in senior level experience in quick succession signal our intent to move the business forward rapidly.”
