Managing general agent (MGA) Commercial Express has appointed Andy Jones (pictured left) as head of underwriting and Joanne Caton (pictured right) as underwriting manager – a double swoop on insurer RSA.
Jones joins the company from RSA, where he was regional underwriting manager. He is known, according to a Press release, for leading high-performing teams and is expected to contribute to the company’s growth objectives.
Caton also joins the company from RSA, where she was head office senior property and liability underwriter. She has more than 25 years of industry experience and expertise in technical underwriting.
The appointments mark a transition in Commercial Express’ leadership structure within the underwriting team, shifting from a single-leader model to a collaborative team approach, the company said. The new leadership will focus on binders, compliance and product governance as part of the company’s strategy for the year.
Commenting on the appointments, Duncan Pritchard, founder and managing director of Commercial Express, welcomed the two appointees, adding that he expects them to be key players in the company’s growth ambitions.
“Their impact will be instrumental as we continue to drive the business forward in an exciting new direction,” Pritchard said.
Commercial Express recently partnered with Irwell Insurance to help expand its liability schemes and provide brokers and their clients with new coverage options. The partnership signals the company’s move to expand its market presence and add to its current service offerings.
Last year, the company also launched a tattoo and body piercing insurance product, which offers package policy options for selecting liability and material damage coverage. The product is designed for freelance and mobile tattoo and body piercing artists and studio owners.
This followed the launch of a new leisure and park home product that offers a broad range of coverage options for leisure homeowners and their brokers. The product caters to owners of static caravans, park homes, glamping pods, shepherd huts and log cabins, among others, and covers caravans used as permanent residences.
