A new independent commercial brokerage has opened its doors in Yorkshire, founded by two experienced insurance professionals with a combined track record spanning more than three decades.
Hardings Insurance Brokers began trading on March 4, 2026, in Leeds, established by directors Tom Butler (pictured, left) and Martin Billington (pictured, right) with a focus on personal service and long-term client relationships.
Butler began his insurance career in 1992 as an apprentice broker at Schofield Insurance, eventually becoming a partner and then director before the business was sold to Ardonagh in 2021. Billington entered the industry in 2006, developing expertise across commercial insurance and financial lines, including professional indemnity and cyber risks. The pair previously worked together at Schofield.
The brokerage operates as a general commercial business, serving property owners, manufacturing firms and motor trade clients, with additional expertise in financial lines and technology-related risks.
Speaking about the launch, Butler said the brokerage was built around a specific philosophy.
“Martin and I wanted to build something that reflects how we believe broking should be done: senior-led, advice-driven, and building long-term relationships with clients,” he said.
“We’re not trying to be the biggest broker in our space. Our aim is simply to be the most trusted.”
Billington said the goal was to become a reliable long-term partner for businesses.
“Our goal is to become known as a trusted independent broker that businesses can rely on,” he said. “We want clients to see us as long-term partners who understand their risks and support their growth.”
Hardings operates as an Appointed Representative of Momentum Broker Solutions, the UK’s independent AR network, which provides operational support, insurer access, and regulatory infrastructure.
Alistair Body, business development director at Momentum Broker Solutions, said the founders brought a strong vision to the network.
“Tom and Martin bring a huge amount of experience and a very clear vision for the kind of brokerage they want to build,” Body said. “Their focus on trust, expertise, and relationships reflects exactly what independent broking does best.”
The business plans to grow organically through direct prospecting, referrals and partnerships, with the founders intending to expand the team over time once a strong client base has been established.
Broker margins are under pressure across much of the market. Softening rates are squeezing income across many classes of business, while wider macroeconomic pressures are adding further strain to operating costs.
The broking sector has also been shaped by continued consolidation. Analysis from MarshBerry found that total deal value across 99 UK insurance distribution transactions in 2025 came in at just over £2 billion. The consultancy noted that private equity-backed consolidators faced growing pressure on returns in the current soft market, while the pool of privately held commercial broking targets of scale continued to shrink.
Industry revenue across insurance agents and brokers in the UK is estimated to reach £21.7 billion in 2026, growing at a compound annual rate of 5.9% over the past five years, according to IBISWorld. The research firm noted that commercial and specialty lines have been driven by digitalisation and rising demand for specialist cover linked to geopolitical instability.
