McLarens to launch new agriculture division as it refocuses growth strategy

McLarens, a global loss adjuster specialising in complex, commercial and niche markets, is planning to launch a new agriculture division as it looks to refocus on the sector and align it strategically with its wider UK operation.

The company has hired a chartered loss adjuster with 30 years’ experience and a specialist background in agricultural risks to spearhead the offering.

As head of agriculture at McLarens, Steve Smout will oversee a team of adjusters working across UK and Ireland, on the full spectrum of agricultural losses including property, casualty, revenue, equine and livestock.

McLarens said one of Smout’s first priorities will be to complete the integration of the existing Agrical operation, a specialist rural adjuster it acquired in 2013, within the newly formed agriculture practice, which will sit alongside McLarens Private Clients launched last year to service the high net worth and estates sectors.

Steven Wallace, UK managing director at McLarens, said: “As our UK & Ireland business has evolved, we have built out a number of technical practices that are fully integrated within our business and deliver to niche markets the culture, service quality and technical expertise that McLarens is known for.

"The renewed focus and expansion of our agriculture capabilities within our family of McLarens specialist practices is a natural development designed to enhance our agricultural proposition to existing and prospective clients in this important market. I am thrilled that Steve joins us to lead the practice and I look forward to working with him and our clients in this space.”

David Gillan, executive director at McLarens, added: “Steve has a great reputation in the market and brings a high level of expertise across farming and agriculture. We’ve already received a high level of support and interest from insurers and brokers in seeing how we can build our agricultural practice with Steve at the helm.”

Smout commented: “The business of agriculture is increasingly multi-faceted and continues to evolve well beyond farming, from farm shops and events to food production and distribution. Agri-clients require both a broad commercial loss adjusting skill set and considerable knowledge and insight about the markets in which they operate.

"McLarens already has a wealth of agricultural expertise, as well as experience and resources in tangential markets that may prove valuable to clients. I’ll be looking to build upon this existing capability, to ensure we’re offering genuine agricultural expertise across the board. I’m delighted to be taking on the role.”

Get all the latest re/insurance industry news with our daily newsletter -  sign up here.

More of today's news

Rising secondary perils a ‘wake-up call’ for insurers: Swiss Re

Beazley bolsters board with former Direct Line CFO and Microsoft UK COO

AmTrust-backed cyber MGA launches broker portal, API platform targeting SMEs

Don't miss our insurtech email newsletter - sign up today