Insurer Zurich UK boosts regional office network with key expansions

Zurich UK has expanded its regional network in three key areas with new offices and hires in Yorkshire, the Southwest, and the Southeast.

The insurer has opened new offices in Leeds and Bristol and added new underwriting expertise to Southampton.

The new premises in Leeds will house thirty-five staff, giving brokers access to local decision makers, and facilitating more enterprise in the local economy. The team plans to expand in the future with new underwriter Phil McCaw already in post and a second hire confirmed for the near future.

Meanwhile Zurich is expanding its regional footprint in the Southampton area with the addition of a property and casualty underwriting team.

Four mid-market underwriters with experience across property, casualty, construction, and fleet (Thomas Pickett, Ashley Miller, Dawn Strong, and Matt Sandle) will work from Zurich’s Whitley office.

The insurer has also opened a new office in Bristol to service the Southwest and South Wales, located on Bond Street in the flexible working space of the Spectrum Building. The team will cover property, casualty, construction and motor, with further expansion planned in the future.

The expansions will coincide with the refurbishment of Zurich’s Manchester office, which will provide more space to facilitate face-to-face meetings with brokers.

David Nichols, UK Head of Retail, Zurich UK, said:

“Regional brokers are a vital part of the intermediated insurance ecosystem, and the most effective way through which insurers can support regional markets.

“The value and importance of local trading relationships and knowledge cannot be underestimated, which is why we’re so pleased that these new offices will bring us closer to our broker partners.”