David Farnworth - New Business Team Manager

When it comes to Private Clients, no two risks, or clients, are ever the same. From the straightforward to the wonderfully niche, our underwriting approach is designed to give brokers confidence that we can review, understand and respond to a huge variety of needs.

We spoke with David Farnworth, New Business Team Manager, about what defines our appetite, the value of good submissions, and why the human touch still matters more than ever.

A Broad and Flexible Appetite

David describes our Private Clients appetite in simple terms: flexible, wide-ranging and built around solutions.

“We offer products that cover both mid and high net worth needs,” he explains. “We can look at risks from contents only policies starting around £100,000 right up to £10 million per location – and everything in between.”

What matters most isn’t the premium size, but the ability to properly understand the risk. Whether it’s £1,000 or £20,000, David’s team reviews each submission on its own merits, allowing them to apply expertise rather than rigid rules.

“It gives us room to get into the nooks and crannies of a risk and provide the best terms for that client.”

What Makes a Submission Stand Out

For David, it’s rarely about a lack of information. Our brokers are highly experienced and know what’s needed. The real differentiator is the story behind the risk.

The basics, sums insured, security, occupancy, are always covered. But what brings underwriting to life is understanding what’s special about the client or their belongings.

“Tell us what’s unique. It doesn’t matter whether that's over email, on the phone or face-to-face. The more we understand the individual behind the risk, the better we can tailor our terms.”

In Private Clients, “unique” is often exactly that. David has come across everything from rare memorabilia to bespoke collections with huge sentimental value. “Every client has something that matters deeply to them,” he says. “Our job is to understand that and help protect it.”

 "If a claim is made and everything looks in order, they naturally want quick answers. We always aim to respond as promptly as possible." 

Human Expertise Still Matters

Technology, data and tools are more advanced than ever, but in the Private Clients world they can only take you so far. Understanding what matters to a client still relies on human judgment.

“It’s about the personalised approach,” David says. “This market is built on understanding the person in front of you and tailoring your offering to give them peace of mind. If the worst happens, we want them in the best possible place to be taken care of.”

This is especially important because many Private Client customers are, as David puts it, cash rich and time poor. They expect speed, clarity and high-quality service.

“If they make a claim and everything looks right, they want answers quickly – same day or within a couple of days. That’s the service we offer.”

Why Brokers Can Be Confident in Us

With years of experience in the Private Clients market and a team of skilled underwriters, David believes we’re in a strong position to support brokers with new business.