UK managing general agent (MGA) Commercial Express has expanded its capacity panel through new long-term partnerships with AXA and Carbon Underwriting, strengthening its product offerings in the commercial and residential property sectors.
AXA will provide additional capacity for Commercial Express’ commercial property owners scheme, helping the MGA increase its capacity and diversify its commercial property products.
Joel Markham, director of schemes and delegated authorities at AXA UK, explained that the insurer’s role would be to support the MGA’s long-term growth by combining its distribution capabilities with AXA’s underwriting expertise.
Meanwhile, Carbon Underwriting will join the residential property owners panel. Carbon’s involvement is expected to support the MGA in providing more tailored solutions to clients in this sector.
Claire Turner, property underwriter at Carbon, highlighted that the partnership would integrate Carbon’s data platform, Graphene, with Commercial Express’s underwriting model. This integration is intended to provide greater flexibility in decision-making and improve operational efficiency for clients.
Duncan Pritchard (pictured), managing director at Commercial Express, stated that securing capacity from both AXA and Carbon was a clear endorsement of the strength of the MGA’s scheme management and its approach to underwriting. He added that the new partnerships would contribute to the firm’s long-term success and growth in the market.
In January, Commercial Express added Irwell Insurance Company Limited to its panel of insurers. This partnership will initially focus on expanding Commercial Express’s liability schemes, offering brokers and clients new coverage options. Irwell Insurance brings specialist expertise in commercial liability insurance to the arrangement, enhancing the MGA’s liability product offering.
Commercial Express’s recent moves align with wider industry trends, where securing long-term, reliable capacity is increasingly important for MGAs. For example, property-focused schemes have become a key area of focus, with underwriting performance and risk management strategies being closely scrutinised.
