Simon Lewer joins Global Risk Partners to head e-trading
Simon Lewer has joined Global Risk Partners Limited (GRP) as the Chief Operating Officer of its MGA Division, with responsibility for the development of GRP’s electronic trading initiatives. He has also been appointed as the Electronic Trading Director of Plum Underwriting, the Group’s specialist household MGA.
Kris Lee has also joined Plum as Head of e-Trade Underwriting, to work with the key broker software houses to add Plum’s products to their systems. His responsibilities include the development of new products and the management of delegated authorities via its e-Trading Division.
Simon and Kris were previously at Arthur J Gallagher, where Simon was Underwriting Director, eUnderwriting and Kris was Underwriting Manager, e-Underwriting. Between them they have over 40 years’ experience in household underwriting and broking.
Completing the specialist e-Trade Division at Plum are Clive De Pledge, Gary Smith and Jonathan Meyers, who recently joined Plum from Towergate.
Plum is recognised as a market leader for specialist household insurance products in the UK and Ireland.
Their new e-traded products will offer full EDI solutions to brokers via all major software houses.
David Margrett, Chief Executive of Global Risk Partners, said "Simon’s experience and expertise in this area makes him an invaluable asset to GRP. He has established a well deserved reputation in the market for developing smart, e-traded household insurance solutions for some of the UK’s biggest brokers. He will help provide Plum with a fantastic platform for growth.”
David Whitaker, Managing Director of Plum Underwriting, said "Brokers looking to place specialist household risks need immediate access to flexible products and decision makers who want to trade. Plum has already built a strong reputation for high standards of service and Simon, Kris and the team bring a unique set of skills that will develop our new range of e-traded specialist household products to help accelerate the expansion of our UK and Ireland broker base."
Simon Lewer added "Brokers tell me they want the efficiency of electronic trading for non- standard household but they also need the reassurance that they can access immediate underwriting support for risks that are more complex. Plum Underwriting has some of the best specialist household underwriters in the market. By developing products specifically designed to be traded electronically, our brokers will benefit from a high quote rate and lower operational costs - we are aiming to be best-in-class.” Ends
For further information please contact:
David Margrett, Chief Executive, Global Risk Partners
T: +44 (0)7740 417900
E: David.Margrett@grpgroup.co.uk
Notes to editors
Global Risk Partners Limited (GRP) is an investment vehicle aimed at brokers and managing general agents (MGAs) trading in the UK retail and global, specialty insurance markets.
It was established in 2013 by Peter Cullum, Chairman of GRP and co-investor, and David Margrett, Chief Executive of GRP, who was previously President of Willis Global and Chairman and CEO of Willis Limited.
GRP is backed by private equity firm Penta Capital LLP.
Global Risk Partners acquires businesses and teams that have niche, non-commoditised, specialty propositions and strong profitability.
Plum Underwriting is a London-based underwriting agency providing specialist solutions for the UK and Republic of Ireland home insurance market through brokers.
Formed in 2002, Plum provides five specialist home insurance products; Flex, which caters for a wide range of non-standard home insurance exposures, HomeWorks, an integrated household insurance and contracts works cover for the owners of high net worth homes which are undergoing major renovation, Amethyst, a worldwide all risks policy for affluent homeowners and Let and Retreat, flexible cover for both standard and difficult to place landlords’ and holiday homes property risks.
In addition to partnering brokers on an ‘open market’ basis, where it quotes, underwrites and issues documentation, Plum also issues delegated authority to insurance providers allowing them to white label their products and control the client experience.
Plum has been voted a Top 10 Personal Lines Insurer for the past five years in the Insurance Times Broker Service Survey 2010 – 2014. www.plum-underwriting.com