Verisk has established a new UK and Ireland insurance unit, combining underwriting and claims operations.
The US risk management group has appointed Chris Sawford as managing director (MD).
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The newly formed Verisk General Insurance UK & Ireland unit integrates the company’s international underwriting, property and risk (IUPR), Claims UK and Ignite businesses.
Verisk aims to make it easier for clients to access underwriting, claims and policy administration capabilities within a single structure.
According to the company, the consolidation is designed to support more data-driven decision-making across the insurance sector, while improving connectivity between different parts of the market.
Sawford, who previously headed Verisk’s Claims UK division, will lead the combined business.
In his earlier role, he worked with insurers on operational challenges and broader improvements in claims processes and decision-making.
He also co-founded Validus-IVC, a UK-based claims management solutions provider acquired by Verisk in 2018.
Sawford said: “This realignment enhances our capability to enable insurers to make more confident, insight-led decisions across the insurance life cycle – helping them price risk more effectively, manage claims more efficiently and ultimately deliver better outcomes for policyholders in a rapidly changing market.”
The new unit will provide connected claims solutions intended to help insurers manage operational complexity, strengthen fraud detection and improve consistency throughout the claims life cycle.
Its IUPR offering delivers data-led insights to support risk assessment across property, motor and commercial lines.
Meanwhile, Ignite focuses on policy administration and life cycle management tools to improve efficiency and streamline workflows.
The reorganisation is intended to deepen collaboration with insurers as they navigate a more complex risk landscape.
Verisk UK & Ireland general insurance and specialty business solutions CEO Tim Rayner said: “With Chris leading this integrated organisation, we are positioned to strengthen collaboration across the market and accelerate innovation with the aim of helping insurers adapt to emerging risks while improving trust, protection and value for policyholders.”
