Howden’s Aston Lark set to chart new waters with swoop on Zurich business

Howden-owned broker  Aston Lark has snapped up the commercial direct marine trade book from Navigators & General (N&G), part of Zurich UK, to expand its range of insurance products for the marine market.

The acquisition of the commercial direct marine trade book from N&G will allow Aston Lark, together with its Haven Knox-Johnston brand, to offer insurance to all businesses across the entire spectrum of the marine industry - from marinas and boatyards to chandleries and boat repairers.

N&G’s commercial marine products and underwriting capacity will remain unchanged. N&G will continue to offer commercial marine products to customers through insurance brokers, alongside its specialist cover for pleasure craft.

Joining Aston Lark to chart the new waters is experienced marine trades underwriter Mike Jeffrey, who is an industry veteran and joins directly from Navigators and General where he was responsible for the insurer’s commercial direct business.

Steve Hook, head of marine for Aston Lark, commented: “We’re really excited to welcome Mike to Aston Lark. As an experienced marine trades underwriter, he will continue to look after his clients as he has done for many years and help us widen the range of insurance products and solutions for businesses that service the marine industry. This acquisition reinforces our strong business relationship with Navigators & General.”

Graham Clark, head of Navigators & General, said: “We believe the needs of commercial customers are best served by brokers. Today’s announcement gives our customers access to the benefits of a specialist insurance broker, whilst retaining the marine underwriting expertise of Navigators & General. We look forward to continuing to develop our strong relationship with Aston Lark as we further grow our business.”

Jeffrey said: “I am thrilled to be joining my new colleagues at Aston Lark. By adding marine trade insurance to complement their brilliant Haven Knox-Johnston offering, I am really looking forward to helping add to their fantastic reputation as the UK’s leading marine insurance specialist.”

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