Investing in people, technology and the future of Commercial Lines
ERS has built its reputation as a specialist motor insurer focused exclusively on brokers, combining underwriting expertise with long-term partnerships and excellent service. Backed by Lloyd's and now part of the Starr Insurance Group, we continue investing in our people, technology and capabilities to support the next phase of our growth.
As part of that journey, we've brought our Fleet and Commercial teams together under the leadership of Chris Wilson, Head of Fleet & Commercial. By aligning our expertise and encouraging greater collaboration, we're creating a stronger proposition and an even better trading experience for brokers.
One vision, two specialisms
Under the new leadership, Fleet and Commercial now operate with a shared strategic direction while retaining the specialist expertise that brokers rely on.
As a broker-only insurer, we understand the importance of consistency, accessibility and specialist expertise. Bringing these classes closer together allows us to build on those strengths while creating a more connected experience for brokers placing business across multiple commercial motor-related risks.
While Fleet and Commercial Underwriting remain distinct disciplines, a unified leadership structure helps ensure that expertise is shared more effectively and opportunities are identified sooner. For brokers, this creates a more joined-up experience and access to broader specialist insight across ERS.
Investing in our people
We believe that expertise and capability lead to growth which is why we have always invested in people. Over recent years, we've significantly expanded our Commercial Lines capability through a combination of recruiting experienced underwriting talent, developing colleagues from within the business and creating trainee opportunities for people just starting their careers.
As we continue to grow, we're always looking for experienced, customer-focused individuals who share our passion for specialist underwriting and exceptional broker service, while combining traditional underwriting judgement with the insights that data and AI can provide.
Alongside this, we're encouraging greater cross-education between Fleet and Commercial teams. By sharing knowledge, broadening technical understanding and exposing underwriters to different specialisms, we're developing more rounded professionals who can better understand the wider risk landscape which makes us more resilient to market changes.
For brokers, that translates into richer conversations, stronger technical support and access to teams with a broader understanding of commercial risks, backed by the agility to adapt to changing market conditions.
Technology that supports underwriting
While technology continues to transform insurance, we see it as an enabler of expertise rather than a replacement for it.
ERS is investing in AI, automation and digital tools that help improve risk validation, streamline quote submissions and reduce manual administration. Initiatives such as quote ingestion technology help our teams process information more efficiently, improving both responsiveness and service levels. Our live AI agent also supports the pre-renewal process by pulling together information from across multiple systems, giving underwriters a clear, consolidated view so they can spend more time underwriting and less time gathering data.
By removing repetitive tasks, underwriters will have more time to focus on what really matters: understanding risk, applying judgement, being more visible and accessible to brokers, and supporting informed decision-making.
The result is a better experience for brokers, with improved responsiveness, greater consistency and faster access to underwriting expertise.
We’re also continuing to strengthen our digital trading capabilities through eTrade, delivering an enhanced user experience, greater product availability and sophisticated pricing models powered by industry-leading technology and machine learning.
Aligning appetite, simplifying trading
As Fleet and Commercial teams work more closely together, we also have an opportunity to better align appetite and simplify the trading experience for brokers.
This is particularly valuable in areas where specialist expertise naturally overlaps, such as Coach & Bus and Minibus or Specialist Commercial Vehicle. By aligning appetite requirements and sharing the features and benefits that matter most to brokers and their clients, we're creating a more joined-up proposition across these classes.
Just as importantly, we're closing gaps that can sometimes occur between specialist areas, helping ensure suitable risks don't fall between the cracks. For brokers, that means a smoother trading experience and greater consistency.
Ultimately, appetite alignment isn't about changing what we write. It's about making it easier for brokers to understand where ERS can help and how they can access our expertise.
Growing our team
We're ambitious about the future of Commercial Lines and continue to invest in the talent needed to support that growth. Recruitment remains an ongoing priority as we look to attract individuals who share our passion for underwriting excellence and broker service.
This focus on talent reflects our long-term commitment to the market. We're not reducing expertise or consolidating specialisms. We're strengthening them through targeted investment, development and growth.
For professionals looking for their next career move, it's an exciting time to join a business that's actively shaping the future of Commercial Lines.
What comes next?
Having stable leadership allows us to remain disciplined throughout market cycles, stay focused on delivering our strategy and invest in what matters most for today and the long term.
By investing in our people, embracing technology and aligning the way we trade, we're creating a more connected experience for brokers while staying true to the expertise, service and support that define ERS. It's an approach that reflects our long-term commitment to brokers, our people and the future of Commercial Lines.
"We're fortunate to be in a position where we can invest. Whether it's attracting talented people, developing existing colleagues, enhancing our technology or improving the broker experience, we're focused on building a stronger Commercial Lines business for the long term. We want ERS to be a business that brokers choose to trade with and talented professionals choose to build their careers with." Chris Wilson, Head of Fleet & Commercial Motor
Do you have a Commercial Lines opportunity you would like to talk to us about? Please get in touch.
Interested in a career in Commercial Lines at ERS? Contact Nicky Harttree, Fleet Product Manager at nicky.harttree@ers.com.
