Rural Insurance, the Harrogate-based specialist agricultural insurer, has hired Simon Dixon from Aviva to join its underwriting team. Mike Ellis, Rural COO, said Mr Dixon was the first of four ‘development’ underwriters Rural is planning to recruit this year, and is part of a strategy to bring on board high quality underwriters and base them close to brokers.
“Our strategy is to get closer to our brokers at a time when other providers appear to be consolidating their people into head offices, or into super regional hubs. We pride ourselves on thinking differently in the agricultural market, and we believe putting local underwriting experts and basing them in local offices where they can underwrite risks on the spot, will significantly improve our performance.”
Mr Ellis said the recruitment drive forms part of Rural’s plans to double in size by 2015 and become a top three player in its chosen segments. “Simon will be based in Carlisle, and our other underwriting experts are also likely to be based in the North East, East Anglia and South West of England, in the heart of our agricultural community.”
Mr Dixon has spent nearly 20 years in the insurance industry, including six years between 2006-2012 as a commercial underwriter at Aviva, where he specialised in agricultural business. He spent twelve years in a similar role at Axa, and between 1985-1994 worked at Hannah and Lawton.
He said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join a fast growing business which is passionate about the agricultural sector. I have seen the benefits of ‘localism’ at first hand, and know that personal service and deep market knowledge is highly valued by brokers and their clients. I’m looking forward to assisting Mike and the team to deliver further growth for Rural.”