Acrisure Nottingham, First Underwriting and Dale Underwriting Partners have each announced senior promotions and hires in the UK.
First Underwriting has named Simon Taylor (pictured) as commercial director as the specialist MGA continues to invest in growth, new schemes and regional reach. Taylor will work alongside First’s underwriting and claims specialists to enhance insurance solutions for brokers’ consumer and commercial clients..
The appointment is part of the company's ongoing strategy to widen its portfolio and expand its UK footprint. It follows other recent additions, including the 2025 appointments of Chris Bernstead and Dominic Kelly to lead the real estate division.
Acrisure Nottingham has invested in its growth push with a trio of appointments across its private client and commercial teams as it beds in the Acrisure brand in the UK.
The business has promoted Bridget Knowles and George Fox-Smith to commercial account executives, and has brought in Ed Hall as a private client account handler.
Knowles joined legacy firm Russell Scanlan in 2001 following a career at General Accident, where she started in the Midlands before moving to London and then the North West as a bonus executive. Meanwhile, Fox-Smith joined the broker eight years ago as a private client account handler, providing bespoke personal policies and claims support for high-net-worth clients before moving into the commercial team as an account handler in 2021.
Hall has also joined as a private client account handler. With an Economics and Business degree from the University of Exeter, the firm describes him as bringing a strong academic grounding and “positive attitude to development”.
Legacy company Russell Scanlan officially adopted the Acrisure name in January 2026, following its acquisition by the global fintech-driven broker in 2022. The rebrand allows Acrisure Nottingham to continue trading with the same experienced team, now backed by the scale and technology of one of the world’s fastest-growing brokerage groups.
Dale Underwriting Partners has continued its build-out of specialist talent with the creation of a new head of portfolio solutions role and the appointment of market veteran Kevin Flack to lead it.
Dale said the London-based role has been established to drive portfolio development and deepen data-led decision-making across the business. Flack, who will assume the position later this year, brings 30 years’ experience in the Lloyd’s and North American markets.
He joins from Atrium, where he spent 25 years and most recently served as head of North American property & casualty binders, giving him extensive experience in delegated authority and specialty lines.
