Growth at a premium for insurer

Leeds-based Henderson Insurance Brokers took on the staff over the last six weeks. They include Brian Tourle, from Coface in London, a new associate director at the firm's London surety division, specialising in the construction industry and professional indemnity insurance, and Chris Thompson, from Weller Russell & Laws in Peterborough, who has become associate director at Henderson's corporate division in Leeds.

Earlier this year Henderson has bought Denney O'Hara (Life and Pensions) and Denney O'Hara for an undisclosed sum, following a deal for Buckinghamshire-based UK Credit Insurance Specialists.

Joe Henderson, chief executive of Henderson, said: "All the appointments are for additional positions, not replacements."

The firm has also bolstered its staff in Newcastle, in the Tingley area of Leeds, in Kirmington in North Lincolnshire and in Stockton in the North East.

Henderson is based in 12 locations around the country, providing services right across the market, including general insurance, commercial insurance and employee benefits.

Earlier this year Mr Henderson said: "We're in a fairly bullet-proof situation because everyone still needs insurance.

"But while everyone else is contracting because they've got debts to service, we are fairly debt-free and the acquisitions have been made at realistic prices rather than inflated prices.

"Nobody else has got any cash to splash but we've been prudent. We've got access to the funds at reasonable rates and we've been buying at reasonable prices."