Markerstudy Business has appointed Rich Morley (pictured) as broking director of its newly standalone commercial division, reporting to chief executive Ross Barrington, subject to regulatory approval. The appointment is an internal promotion rather than an external hire - Morley has been with the Markerstudy Group for nearly 15 years, leading niche products within Markerstudy Retail - a deliberate choice that signals the division is being built on established internal expertise and existing broker relationships rather than importing an external culture at a moment of product build-out and market transition.
The appointment lands as UK van insurance premiums show early signs of turning after an extended soft period. Consumer Intelligence's Van Insurance Price Index found average van cover stood at £1,674 in February 2026, up £38 on the previous quarter - a 2.3% quarterly increase - though still 6% below the same period a year earlier. Van insurance had fallen nearly 14% year-on-year and approximately 25% from its October 2024 peak, but with some providers recording back-to-back monthly increases, analysts suggest the window of declining prices may be closing. Insurance TimesInsurance Business America
For Markerstudy Business, which is planning van and fleet proposition launches in the coming months, the timing is specific: entering a product line as pricing stabilises after a sustained correction is more commercially attractive than launching at the peak of a soft cycle, provided underwriting discipline on risk selection holds. EY's December 2025 motor insurance analysis warned that for every £1 earned in consumer premiums in 2025, the sector is forecast to pay out £1.01 in claims and expenses, rising to £1.11 in 2026 - a combined ratio trajectory that makes disciplined fleet and van underwriting more rather than less important as the product cycle matures. Insurance Business America
Markerstudy Business was established as a standalone division to bring the group's commercial insurance brands under one structure with its own executive team and board. Barrington was confirmed as chief executive after signing off a strategy to grow the unit to £200 million in gross written premium. Organic growth is expected to run through brands including Swinton Business, Hughes, CVD, One Insurance Solution and Lloyd's broker Clegg Gifford, with core lines covering motor trade, taxi, non-standard van, courier and fleet. A cyber product is earmarked for near-term launch and an agriculture proposition is in development. The insurer panel includes Allianz, AXA, Intact, Tradex and Covéa.
Morley's remit covers product development, accessing new markets and supporting the wider business team on development and growth. His background across niche retail products within the group gives the role its specific internal rationale: a broking director who knows the group's distribution infrastructure, broker relationships and data assets before the product build-out begins is better placed than an external hire who would need to establish those connections from scratch.
"It's an exciting time for the division as we accelerate our product development plans, including the launch of new van and fleet propositions in the coming months," Barrington said. "Rich and I have worked together extensively during our time at Markerstudy, and I welcome his commercial insight, leadership qualities and market awareness."
Markerstudy Business draws on a much larger group platform. Following its 2024 merger with Ardonagh's personal lines broking arm Atlanta, Markerstudy now transacts more than £3 billion in annual gross written premium and employs around 7,000 people. The group has continued to sharpen its structure, most recently with Saturn Holdings' July 2026 acquisition of Markerstudy Insurance Services, bringing service functions in-house after a two-year partnership.
