Direct Commercial Limited (DCL) has strengthened its new business team structure as it looks to improve broker access and underwriting responsiveness across the UK commercial motor insurance market, where capacity constraints and elevated claims costs continue to test both insurers and intermediaries.
The specialist MGA said the refined structure is designed to ensure brokers receive consistent, specialist support at every stage of the placement journey, while preserving direct dialogue between brokers and underwriters across both retail and wholesale channels.
The move comes as UK commercial motor remains one of the most challenging lines in the market.
Persistent inflation in repair costs, higher severity claims, driver shortages and increased litigation have pushed loss ratios higher, prompting several insurers to reduce appetite or tighten underwriting criteria. Against that backdrop, brokers have increasingly turned to specialist MGAs to secure capacity, structure complex risks and access underwriters with deep sector knowledge.
Matt Pollen and Steve Knights will continue to act as primary contacts for London Market and wholesale enquiries. The London Market and Wholesale team will focus on complex and large-scale commercial motor placements, drawing on underwriting expertise and negotiation capability aligned with Lloyd’s syndicates and wholesale distribution partners.
DCL said the team will continue to deepen relationships with Lloyd’s brokers and wholesale intermediaries, where bespoke risk structuring, nuanced pricing and careful capacity deployment have become critical as carriers seek to balance growth with profitability in commercial motor portfolios.
The recent appointment of Knights as London Market new business underwriter has expanded the team’s presence in the City, signalling DCL’s continued investment in its wholesale proposition at a time when specialist MGAs are playing a more prominent role in supporting the London Market’s commercial motor capacity.
Retail new business will continue to be led by Ian White and Aidan Cunningham from DCL’s Chelmsford office, supporting the MGA’s nationwide retail broker network.
The retail team will focus on delivering tailored commercial motor solutions for SME and fleet clients, with particular specialism in haulage, courier, waste and recycling, and road transport risks.
These segments have faced sustained underwriting pressure across the market due to claims volatility and operational complexity, increasing demand for specialist underwriting and proactive risk management support.
DCL said the team will prioritise speed, clarity and consistency, offering rapid quote turnaround, proactive risk advisory input and dedicated support throughout the policy lifecycle - areas brokers have repeatedly highlighted as critical differentiators when placing difficult motor risks.
The revised structure retains specialist roles while expanding capacity across both retail and wholesale distribution, aligning with broader market trends that have seen MGAs take on a greater share of underwriting responsibility as insurers streamline operations and focus on capital efficiency.
The changes also come amid ongoing broker concerns about communication gaps, decision delays and under-utilised technology in underwriting and claims processes, issues frequently cited in recent UK broker surveys. DCL said the new structure is intended to address those friction points by keeping underwriting expertise closer to the point of distribution.
