London’s overall leading broker revealed…

Maxim De Prins has retained his position as the top overall London broker for the second year in a row, according to the 2022 survey by commercial insurance research and advisory firm Gracechurch.

As previously noted by this publication, although De Prins joined Lockton as senior vice president last month, he appears in the rankings with Marsh, having received the recommendations and nominations while serving at the latter company.

In his new role, De Prins is focused on North American stock throughput opportunities, specialising in pharmaceuticals, food and beverage and cold chain risks.

Costero’s Freddie Tyler took the runner-up position, having also been voted the top individual war and geopolitical risk broker in the survey.

The divisional director for crisis management was voted in 10th place in the overall rankings in last year’s overall survey.

Completing the overall top three was Paul Coombes, partner in Gallagher’s aviation practice. As reported by this publication last week, Coombes also took the top spot in Gracechurch’s individual aviation broker rankings.

Also representing Marsh in the top five overall ranking was vice president Jamie Sawicki, who is responsible for the global placement and management of political violence, war and terrorism (re)insurance programs.

Aon’s chief broking officer for US casualty and digital economy Andrew Cooper took fifth place, having been voted the leading individual casualty broker, as reported last week.

BMS director Charlie Skipworth-Button took sixth place in the overall rankings, having also placed third on the list of individual war and geopolitical risk brokers.

Richard Symes of Iris, the leading individual professional indemnity broker, placed seventh overall, while casualty runner-up Alex Wilson – Marsh’s broking team leader for the international casualty division – was voted in eighth.

Also from Marsh was Jason Taylor, co-head US property and placement leader at Bowring Marsh (UK & Ireland), in ninth place.

Taylor was also voted the top individual property broker, as we revealed last week.

Finishing up the top 10 leading individuals was WTW aviation broker Martin Collins, who also secured runner-up in the aviation broking category this year.

“Marsh retains its lead position overall for bench strength, with Aon in second: notably this year Howden takes third spot slightly ahead of WTW,” Gracechurch said.

“Other independent brokers, including Price Forbes and Lockton do well too, with reinsurance specialists Miller and Guy Carpenter also making the top 10, showing the extent to which different propositions are valued in the market.”

The second edition of the Gracechurch survey collected nominations and data between June 2021 and February 2022. Around 200 professionals in the London market submitted nominations for 344 individual brokers across 60 different broking firms.

Chris Croft, CEO of the London & International Insurance Brokers Association, said: “This report highlights the breadth of experience and expertise in the London broking community. Congratulations to all the individuals who have been recognised for their excellence.”