The Coversure broking franchise is set to mark another record year of growth in Manchester this week, as it prepares to celebrate 40 years of helping insurance professionals launch, grow and exit their own brokerages.
The Coversure network, part of the Jensten Group, has opened 12 new offices in the last eight months. More than two-thirds of enquiries have come from start-up brokers, with the remainder from established firms.
Its sister network, Jensten Broker Network, has also seen strong engagement over the last 12 months, with independent brokers seeking additional operational support, flexibility and long-term sustainability.
Both networks have benefited as brokers reassess how they operate amid increasing regulatory complexity, rapid technological change and continuing consolidation in the UK insurance distribution market. The trend is being driven by factors such as private equity investment, an ageing ownership base in regional brokerages and the rising cost of compliance and technology, which can be harder for smaller firms to shoulder alone.
Jordan Maskell, network director at Jensten Network, said the latest performance shows how franchise and network models are becoming an increasingly attractive route for experienced market professionals.
“For the second year running, we’ve seen record levels of growth across the Coversure network. All despite increased direct-to-consumer offerings, advances in AI and more commentary aimed at consumers, showing that the role of the broker has arguably never been more important – particularly in local communities and specialist niches where advice really matters,” he said.
Maskell also noted that market consolidation is playing a growing role in broker career decisions.
“It’s widely reported how much consolidation has taken place across the broker sector in recent years, and as a result, we’re seeing far more experienced account directors and executives considering setting up on their own. Around 65% of the enquiries we now receive come from startup brokers, with the remainder coming from brokers already operating within other networks who are reviewing their options," Maskell said.
Maskell also said the profile of new enquiries is also changing.
On gender balance he added: “We’ve been strong advocates for raising the profile of women in insurance through campaigns and spotlight activity over the last 18 months. We already have dozens of successful female brokers within our network, but it’s encouraging to see enquiries from new female insurance entrepreneurs continuing to rise, with several already in the process of launching their own brokerages with us.”
Across the wider UK market, broking remains male‑dominated at ownership and senior leadership level. Attracting more women into client‑facing and leadership roles has become a stated priority for many firms and industry bodies. For networks, a more diverse pipeline of would‑be principals is both a talent issue and a way to reflect the changing profile and expectations of commercial and personal lines customers.
The Jensten Network will also be hosting a special event for brokers in Manchester this Wednesday at the Alan Hotel.
The informal drop‑in session, close to the BIBA Conference venue, will give brokers the opportunity to speak directly with the senior team about Coversure and the Jensten Broker Network, as well as Jensten London Markets, Jensten Underwriting, Darwin Clayton Partner Brokers and Robert Gerrard.
The engagement drive comes ahead of a milestone for the franchise. Coversure will officially turn 40 on Oct. 15 this year, having supported brokers through multiple market cycles, regulatory shifts and successive waves of consolidation.
