Chubb has set up a new small commercial and mid-market division, to be headed by former Calibre CEO Mike Hooton, as it reports rapid growth in SME business.

The insurer also announced today Jason Hawksworth’s promotion to Head of Distribution Australia & New Zealand.

Mr Hooton, who has 30 years’ industry experience, was appointed Head of Small Commercial and Mid-Market Division, having been consulting for Chubb for the last 10 months.

He left Calibre last year after it was folded into the new commercial division at Hollard, which had bought Calibre from Munich Holdings Australasia in August 2017.

Chubb says its new division reflects ongoing restructuring around client needs, and follows the establishment of its major account division, announced last October.

Chubb Country President Australia & New Zealand Jarrod Hill says SME business has been growing fast with annual revenue up to $10 million.

“The logical next phase of this development is for mid-market businesses. We intend to craft product solutions for this segment and find efficiencies in how we service them while we continue to maintain focus on distribution via our broking partners,” he said.

SME Manager Matt Head will “continue to implement established strategies for the small commercial segment”, reporting to Mr Hooton.

Chubb says further recruitment for the division is pending, including a leader for middle market and a head of MGAs, schemes and facilities.

In his new role, Mr Hawksworth will take responsibility for broker intermediated business serving small commercial, mid-market and major account clients.

He has two decades of insurance industry experience and has worked at Chubb for four years, most recently as head of Chubb’s Independent Broker Unit.

More details in our regular bulletin on Monday.