QBE targets trade credit growth as UK businesses under pressure

According to recent ABI figures, trade credit insurance claims in the UK have been at their highest level since 2009 as a result of tough trading times. Press headlines in the past year have focused on a number of high-level insolvencies, which are likely to have a ripple effect through supply chains.

In order to address a growing demand, QBE has added three underwriters to its trade credit team, focussing on regional opportunities. These include:

·         James Robertson has joined as New Business Commercial Underwriter and will be responsible for developing new opportunities in London and the South-East. He joins from QBE’s Trade Credit team in Sydney.  He brings with him a wealth of experience, having also spent six years working for Coface in Australia as a Commercial and Risk Underwriter.

·         John Lott has joined as a Risk Underwriter, bringing extensive experience from previous trade credit roles in the industry. James and John will be based in London.

·         Harry Bennion has joined the Birmingham office as a New Business Underwriter and will be responsible for looking after Midlands-based brokers and generating new business in the region. He joins from JLT where he was a credit and political risk broker.

Trevor Williams, Head of Credit and Surety, QBE European Operations, said “Lack of clarity on Brexit, greater levels of competition and escalating costs are affecting businesses from multiple sectors and the importance of trade credit insurance is more pronounced. Our new underwriters are bringing specialist experience to the team and will be integral to the further development of our portfolio and the delivery of enhanced levels of service to our customers at a time when they need it most.”

He continued: “QBE is Brexit ready and our industry experts are well placed to support our customers through these challenging times.”

For further information contact:

Sandra Villanueva, Corporate Communications, QBE, 020 7105 5284, Sandra.Villanueva@uk.qbe.com

Alexis Burris, Corporate Communications, QBE, 020 3465 3921, Alexis.Burris@uk.qbe.com

About QBE

QBE European Operations is part of QBE Insurance Group, one of the world’s leading international insurers and reinsurers and Standard & Poor’s A+ rated. Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, QBE’s gross written premium for the year ended 31 December 2017, was US$14.1 billion.

As a business insurance specialist, QBE European Operations offers a range of insurance products from the standard suite of property, casualty and motor to the specialist financial lines, marine and energy. All are tailored to the individual needs of our small, medium and large client base.

We understand the crucial role that effective risk management plays in all organisations and work hard to understand our clients’ businesses so that we offer insurance solutions that meet their needs – from complex programmes to simpler e-trading solutions – and support them in minimising their risk exposures. Our expert risk management and rehabilitation practitioners focus on helping clients improve their risk management so that they may benefit from a reduction in claims frequency and costs.