Rural adds nine new recruits
Provider wants to take the number two spot in specialist rural market.
Rural Insurance has made nine appointments across its management, technical and sales operations.
Paul Burton joins the provider as chief operating officer, and brings experience from his own venture, Pobi Ltd, and several years at Axa.
Matthew Washer has been appointed as technical director, and joins from IAG where he was most recently responsible for motor, home and niche products.
Two new regional sales managers have been recruited, with Lee Coupland taking on responsibility for the North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. He has previously worked at Gallagher Heath, Aviva, Axa and Allianz.
Meanwhile Will Simpson will join in July to take on responsibility for Scotland and Ireland, having previously worked for NIG, Allianz, Axa and Clark Thomson.
Underwriting
Rural also made a number of underwriting appointments.
Richard Armitage takes on the role of new business, senior motor underwriter, after nine years with AIUA in new business and motor underwriting roles, while Aidan Lennon joins from Oyster Risk Solutions to take up the role of motor underwriter.
Nicola Sharp has been appointed as farm underwriter following 12 years with BIBU dealing with farm and estate risks, and Graham Westerman is taking up the newly created role of underwriter - farm combined and farm motor. He was previously at AIUA.
Finally, Shane Mustill is returning to Rural from Axa Farm Schemes to become development underwriter, another newly created position.
People business
Ian Barclay, Rural’s managing director, said: “Our aim to be the number two specialist rural insurance company in the market means we need to hire the very best talent available.
“We have made a great start on that process by taking on a number of highly experienced and well-qualified people across various roles in the company.”
He added: “This is a people business and our new colleagues are a very important addition to the skills and knowledge we have in the existing Rural Insurance team.”
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