UNA fulfils expansion promise with its second addition within a week
Just a week after the appointment of Midlands-based R A Cowen & Partners Ltd, UNA has now appointed London-based commercial broker and risk management firm Berns Brett Ltd to its roster of members. The appointment of Lloyd’s Broker Berns Brett, which is part of the BBi Group, takes the total of UNA members to 13 regional insurance brokers and further enhances the alliance’s presence and service offering within the capital and beyond.
Established over 50-years ago, the BBi Group is one of the largest independent provincial brokers in the UK. Berns Brett operates at both an international level and at Lloyd’s, representing PLC clients and organisations operating within the charity, public sector, SME, and financial sectors. In addition to its London presence, which oversees Corporate Risks, Reinsurance, Employee Benefits, Financial Services, Schemes & Affinities, Risk Management, the firm also has a network of offices in Sussex, Ireland, India, and the Middle East.
UNA Executive Chairman, Tim Ryan comments: “I’ve said before that we want to be the proactive and productive one and this second appointment within a week signals our intent. We have been looking for the right member to help enhance our presence in London alongside Tysers and Centor Insurance and Berns Brett ticks all the boxes. The firm compliments the skills and resources displayed by our other members, demonstrating clear ambitions which are firmly in line with that of the UNA Alliance. This fills me with confidence for our future collaboration. We are delighted to welcome them on board.”
David Skinner, Managing Director at Berns Brett adds: “We are obviously thrilled by this appointment. It is a matching fit for us in terms of culture and collaboration and is a significant step for us in achieving the firms’ plans for further growth in the buoyant London market, based on our already established footprint in the capital. We are excited by what this partnership with the UNA Alliance is going to deliver.”
Founded in 1997, UNA has since established strong commercial relationships with its insurer partners, based upon the sound principal of mutual benefit. This will also enhance the BBi group’s market presence throughout the business communities and other key markets the firm represents. Members are carefully selected to join UNA, sharing common goals whilst retaining their independence and providing each member with access to various internal support groups.