Edison Motor Launches on Volante’s New UK-Based MGA Platform

Volante Global Ltd., a new multi-class and multi-territory international managing general agent (MGA) platform, has announced the launch of Edison Motor and the appointment of Steven Dickie and Doug Ockwell as joint managing directors of the new operation.

Edison Motor is a London market-based MGA that provides comprehensive commercial motor insurance products to niche markets in the UK. Key lines of business include: public sector, including police forces; fire and rescue services; ambulance fleets; hazardous goods, and haulage.

Volante was launched this year by Talbir Bains, formerly group CEO and CUO of DUAL International Ltd. Prior to this, he had a number of managerial positions across underwriting, reinsurance, pricing and business performance at QBE European Operations during 14 years with the QBE Group. Both Dickie and Ockwell were previously employed by QBE.

Edison will offer both conventional and non-conventional insurance products based on robust pricing models, and will provide ‘AA+’ rated capacity which has been secured on a five-year binder agreement. The agreement was secured by a team from Aon Benfield, the intermediary for the Volante Group, which was led by Vijay Mavani, Mark Flower and Rob Sharp.

Steven Dickie has worked in the motor insurance sector for 40 years, in both underwriting and broking roles, most recently as a portfolio manager for QBE Europe’s motor account. For 10 years, he was head of motor fleet for a motor book in the Lloyd’s and composite market; and spent a further 10 years as an associate director at one of the London market’s leading wholesale brokers.

Doug Ockwell has 25 years industry experience in motor and non-motor classes, spanning both motor underwriting (eight years) and broking and account servicing for large corporate clients (17 years). He has specialized in the placement and underwriting of non-conventional motor business for 20 years. Prior to joining Edison Motor, Ockwell was an underwriting manager for QBE Europe’s motor account.

“At Edison Motor, our aim is to focus on delivering and maintaining the highest standard of service across all aspects of our client solutions,” said Dickie. “That means ensuring we achieve a rapid turnaround on quotes, produce bespoke policies, provide a best-in-class claims service, and offer outstanding risk management support.”

“Operating from the Volante platform means we can maximize our underwriting time and hit the ground running,” said Ockwell. It provides an end-to-end system spanning everything from initial quotes and binding through to issuing documents and supporting claims management. That means we can concentrate on meeting the unique and increasingly complex challenges faced by the UK commercial motor market and building close working relationships with our brokers and clients.”

“We are delighted that the first MGA has launched from the Volante platform,” said Bains. “Edison Motor is exemplary in defining the underwriting fraternity that we are looking to create….”

He said Volante’s primary goal is to deliver underwriting profit to its supporting capacity provider and making “huge inroads into key market sectors which we believe are currently underserved.”

Source: Volante Global

Topics Europe Underwriting Insurance Wholesale