Bleak outlook for SME sector as market softens

Brokers are under far more pressure now in the small end of the commercial market than they were at the start of the year due to a rapidly softening market.

This is according to Francois-Xavier Boisseau, managing director, Groupama Insurances, who commented: "There is a potentially bleak picture for the commercial SME business as I think that the base and the intensity are changing. The market is turning in the wrong direction - I have a gut feeling about this."

Mr Boisseau said he was surpris