Ed Smith, Head of Schemes

• What key experience do you bring to Markerstudy Group?

I have worked in the motor insurance Industry for 25 years, starting in broking in my younger days then making the switch to underwriting in 2004. I have held senior underwriting positions at LV and QBE, managing their niche motor business before moving to Markerstudy in 2010, where I now head up the Schemes division.

• Can you tell me more about some of the schemes at Markerstudy?

We have developed a minibus product targeting the childcare market, including childminders and nurseries. We also cover the education sector (school buses) and recreational clubs that need transport, like Scouts, sports clubs, and church groups and for care and residential homes. We’ve also been known to cover minibuses for people with large families.

We have various motorhome products to cater for coach-built motorhomes and also modified and converted vans, which have become extremely popular.

• Can you tell us about some of the more unusual risks you’ve covered?

The biggest collection of classic cars we insure is valued at £9m in total and consists of 32 vehicles. One car in this collection is the highest single vehicle value we have on cover - a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 convertible, valued at £1m.

We provide cover for high profile personalities such as Premier League footballers and people connected to the entertainment industry. This can include high value supercars and classic car collections.

We also cover all the support vehicles for race teams such as Beechdean Motorsport who compete in the British GT Championship and at Le Mans.

• What makes you tick at work?

Working with my team to develop profitable schemes for the benefit of the group and our broker partners.

• What advice would you give to your younger self if you could travel back in time?

That’s a difficult one. I would say take more time and a few more deep breaths before dealing with certain situations!

• What do you do in your free time?

I have a busy family life with two daughters aged 10 and 16. I’m a season ticket holder at the mighty Arsenal and I’m also a keen golfer and carp fisherman.