Broker insurer MMA Insurance confirmed on March 25th details of the next stage of its drive into the UK’s commercial lines insurance market, building on the success of its launch 18 months ago.
Derek Plummer, Commercial Director of MMA, announced that the company is to open a new regional office in Newcastle to service the north east of England on 12 April. This will be followed by two more offices in Chelmsford and Bristol within the next month. Plans for the Newcastle office are well advanced with Ian McIntire leading the underwriting team. Ian has been working out of the MMA Glasgow office since 2008 developing relationships with brokers in the north east area.
He will continue to work closely with Anthony Harris, Development Manager, who has several years’ business development experience with MMA. Commenting on these new developments, Mr Plummer said: “Our aim over the medium term is to be recognised as a leading broker insurer in the UK for commercial lines SME business. To achieve this, we’re pushing ahead with phase two of our plans which will see a significant expansion of our regional presence and our commercial lines teams. “The three new offices mean we’ll be able to offer brokers in these areas a faster, more local and personal service with increased capability for bespoke SME business, along with local knowledge and dedicated named contacts.”
“During 2010 we’ll also be out around the country speaking to our brokers and getting their feedback on our commercial lines proposition. Brokers have worked with us to shape and develop our strategy so it is totally focused on their needs. We are therefore confident that all our brokers will be able to benefit greatly from our enhanced regional model and look forward to working with them to achieve their business targets.” MMA first launched its drive to develop commercial lines SME business in October 2008, opening new regional offices in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Reading. The company has also launched a dedicated underwriting team for its non-standard micro commercial business last August, based in Reading, and improved the broker section of its website (Broker Online).
