Commercial lines underwriting specialist Arista Insurance announced today that the company has hired an underwriter with more than three decades experience to help expand its Midlands operation.
Gavin Benson joins with immediate effect as senior underwriter and will be based at Arista’s Birmingham office. Previously he worked for NIG as the key account manager responsible for national relationships with the Brokerbility Group. As well as underwriting new and existing Arista business in the Midlands Gavin will be particularly focussed on growth and development in the East Midlands. To date Arista has established a strong presence in the West Midlands and Gavin’s knowledge of the area and relationships in the East Midlands are of strategic importance to its continued expansion across the region. In addition to NIG, much of Gavin’s 31 years’ insurance experience were gained at Avon Insurance; latterly as senior underwriter in Leicester; prior to that in Wellingborough and Newcastle in both claims and underwriting.
Commenting on the appointment, Charles Earle, chief executive said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome someone of Gavin’s proven ability and long track record of experience to Arista. Attracting high calibre staff is essential for any business to make progress and Gavin is an ideal strategic fit to help Arista broaden its Midland’s footprint even further.” Arista currently services over 300 brokers from its network of regional branches in London, St Albans, Bristol, Southampton, Redhill, Manchester and Birmingham.