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Readhunt Celebrates Achieving Lloyd’s Broker Registration
At Readhunt, our priority is always to provide insurance solutions that truly fit your business. That’s why we’re excited to share that we have secured Lloyd’s Broker registration. This positions Readhunt among a unique group of UK brokers with direct access to one of the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance markets. It supports the company’s commitment to securing tailored, streamlined and cost effective solutions for each client via specialist insurers, markets and underwriters.
What Our Lloyd’s Broker Registration Means for Your Business
- Access to specialist insurance solutions not always available in the standard market
- More flexibility in policy terms, limits, and wordings
- Stronger support for complex, growing, or hard-to-place risks
- Greater negotiating power at renewal
- Bespoke solutions that evolve as your business grows
Most importantly, nothing becomes more complicated for you – but more options become available. Our role remains the same: to make sure your cover fits your business, now and in the future.
Sector-Specific Benefits
Construction, property development, and infrastructure projects often require higher limits, contractual liability coverage, or cover for unique exposures. With Lloyd’s market access, we can provide:
- Bespoke programmes for complex or high-risk projects
- Flexible cover for fire, cladding, or multi-site developments
- Tailored contractual liability and indemnity solutions
Haulage & Logistics
Transporting goods across the UK and internationally comes with unique challenges from temperature-controlled loads to hazardous materials. Benefits include:
- Specialist underwriting for complex goods-in-transit and haulage risks
- Flexible structures for premium control
- Coverage options when claims history or risk profile limits standard markets
Manufacturing & Engineering
Manufacturers and engineers face operational, product, and machinery risks that often go beyond standard policies. With Lloyd’s access, we can offer:
- Broader machinery breakdown and business interruption cover
- Enhanced product liability protection
- Tailored solutions for export and international operations
Technology, Cyber & Professional Services
Fast-moving sectors like technology and professional services need cover that evolves with them. We can now provide:
- Specialist cyber and professional indemnity solutions
- Flexible terms and limits for emerging risks
- Even stronger incident response and claims support
What does this deliver in practice?
Lloyd’s market access and our Lloyd’s Broker status doesn’t make insurance more complicated for our clients – it simply gives Readhunt more tools to protect your business. From complex construction projects to fast-growing tech firms, or international exporters, we can now provide solutions that are better tailored, more flexible, and more robust, whatever your risk profile.
At Readhunt, we continue to make insurance straightforward, reliable, and effective – with the reassurance of Lloyd’s market expertise whenever it’s needed.
How UK SMEs Can Protect Against Supply Chain Disruptions in 2026
Supply chain disruptions are no longer a “nice-to-think-about” risk – for UK SMEs and larger businesses, they can directly impact revenue, project deadlines, and client relationships. From supplier delays to cyber risks, even small problems can escalate quickly.
For businesses in construction, manufacturing, logistics, and engineering particularly, having the right protection in place is essential.
Why Supply Chain Disruptions Matter for SMEs
UK businesses face several common supply chain challenges:
- Supplier Issues: Relying on a few key suppliers creates vulnerability. If one fails, the ripple effect can hit your business hard.
- Delivery Delays: Logistics problems, customs delays, and transport disruptions can affect project timelines.
- Cyber Threats: A supplier or partner experiencing a cyber breach can impact your operations or client data.
- Regulatory Pressures: New procurement, traceability, and compliance rules add extra complexity.
Even with careful planning, businesses often underestimate the financial and operational impact of these risks.
Practical Steps to Reduce Supply Chain Disruption
1. Map Your Entire Supply Chain
Know who your suppliers are – including second and third tiers. Visibility is the first step to managing risk effectively.
2. Diversify Your Suppliers
Work with multiple suppliers or regional partners to reduce dependency on a single source.
3. Monitor Supplier Performance
Track delivery times, quality, and compliance. Early detection of issues helps prevent larger disruptions.
4. Protect Your Business with Insurance
No plan is complete without insurance. At Readhunt we offer tailored solutions to cover the financial impact of supply chain disruption:
- Business Interruption Insurance: Covers lost income if suppliers or deliveries fail.
- Contingent Supplier Cover: Protects against problems caused by key suppliers.
- Cyber Insurance: Guards against data breaches in your business or partners.
- Sector-Specific Solutions: Tailored cover for construction, logistics, manufacturing, and engineering.
How Readhunt Can Help
We specialise in risk management and insurance solutions for SMEs and large businesses. We combine deep sector knowledge with practical insurance expertise to protect your business from the unexpected.
By working with us, you can:
- Identify supply chain vulnerabilities.
- Select insurance that fits your business needs.
- Minimise financial and operational impact from disruptions.
Take Action Today
Supply chain disruption is real – and it’s happening now. Planning, monitoring, and the right insurance coverage give your business the confidence to operate without unnecessary interruptions.
Contact us for a specialist review of your supply chain risks and insurance solutions: info@readhunt.co.uk or call us on 01709 278178
Meet the Team: Laura Barker – Growing with Readhunt
Laura Barker’s career at Readhunt is a true example of progression, consistency, and commitment. Born and raised in Barnsley, Laura joined Readhunt straight from school in September 2014 at just 16 years old – and nearly 12 years later, she’s now our Trading Manager.
Starting as an office junior apprentice, Laura supported the team with day-to-day admin, post, and general office duties. From those early foundations, she steadily built her career within the business, progressing into an Account Handler role and now leading the trading function while continuing to manage her own client renewals and new business.
“Starting at the very bottom and working my way up has taken a lot of determination, effort, and consistency.”
Building knowledge and experience
Laura has developed her career entirely within insurance, gaining hands-on experience alongside professional qualifications. She achieved her Cert CII qualification in early 2020, alongside Level 2 qualifications in Business Administration and Customer Service, building the technical and customer-focused skillset she brings to her role today.
With particular expertise in Commercial Motor Insurance, Laura plays a key role in managing major group commercial clients, overseeing renewals, supporting new business, and maintaining strong relationships with both clients and insurers. In late 2024, she also took on responsibility for company accounts, further broadening her role within the business.
Leading by example
As Trading Manager, Laura is responsible for managing the team, allocating workloads, and supporting colleagues – all while remaining closely involved in the work herself. Known for her approachable nature and highly organised working style, she believes effective leadership comes from understanding every role within the team.
“I always make sure I can still do the tasks I now delegate – it helps me lead more effectively and appreciate the effort behind every job.”
Laura describes herself as competitive, reliable, and hard-working, while colleagues often describe her as knowledgeable, kind, and organised. Her ability to adapt has been key throughout nearly 12 years of changes within the office, the team, and the wider insurance industry.
A standout moment in Laura’s journey was winning the Secret Weapon Award, recognising her contribution to the business and boosting her confidence as she stepped into her Trading Manager role.
What success means to Laura
For Laura, success is simple – enjoying what you do.
“I genuinely enjoy coming to work and the challenges I face every day. That enjoyment drives my performance and progression.”
Her vision is to continue growing, adding value to Readhunt, and pushing herself toward new challenges. Laura doesn’t believe in standing still – once one goal is achieved, she’s already focused on the next.
Life outside the office
Outside of work, Laura enjoys hiking with her partner, family, and friends, having already completed Snowdon and Scafell Pike, with Ben Nevis next on the list. She’s also a Sheffield Steelers season ticket holder, enjoys socialising over food and drinks, and is currently renovating her first home. Recently, she’s returned to running – hoping to rediscover the fitness levels she had competing in cross-country as a teenager.
Looking ahead
Looking to the future, Laura believes Readhunt’s continued success lies in strong teamwork, continuous learning, and outstanding customer relationships. Her values closely align with those of her colleagues: providing exceptional service, building genuine long-term relationships, and always being there when clients need support.
Laura’s journey is a clear example of how dedication, consistency, and passion can shape a successful career – and we’re proud to have her as such an integral part of the Readhunt team.
Case Study: Cutting Insurance Costs in the Waste & Recycling Sector
Sector: Waste & Recycling
Turnover: £50m+
Profile: Large, independent operator
The waste and recycling sector remains one of the most challenging classes of business for insurers. Market appetite is limited, claims frequency is closely scrutinised, and premium pressure has become the norm – regardless of individual risk quality.
This was the position facing one of our clients: a large, well-run waste and recycling business with strong operational controls, yet premiums had increased year-on-year for over five years. The issue wasn’t performance – it was sector perception.
The Challenge
Despite maintaining good risk standards, the client was experiencing:
- Sustained premium increases driven by market sentiment
- Limited insurer appetite within the sector
- Rising scrutiny of third-party motor claims
- Little recognition of their actual risk quality
They needed more than a renewal-only negotiation – they needed a proactive, year-round strategy.
Our Approach
At Readhunt, we believe effective insurance outcomes are built between renewals, not just at them. We worked closely with the client throughout the policy year, focusing on two key areas: claims control and risk representation.
Active Claims Management
We implemented tighter control of all claims, with particular emphasis on third-party motor incidents – a critical loss driver in the sector.
This included:
- Early intervention on claims
- Regular insurer reviews
- Active challenge of reserves where appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring to prevent escalation
By managing claims proactively, rather than reactively, we were able to demonstrate genuine improvement in loss performance.
Proactive Risk Management & Insurer Engagement
Alongside claims control, we focused on ensuring the business was accurately and fairly represented to insurers.
We:
- Arranged and attended all insurer risk surveys
- Worked directly with insurers and surveyors to ensure site risks were properly understood
- Supported the client in managing and evidencing post-survey actions
- Demonstrated continuous improvement, not one-off fixes
This hands-on involvement helped build insurer confidence and credibility throughout the year.
The Result
- Just over 19% reduction in annual premium costs
- Improved insurer confidence in the risk
- Premium levels stabilised in a restrictive market
- No compromise on cover quality
By actively managing claims and engaging insurers throughout the policy year – not just at renewal – we repositioned the business as a well-controlled, high-quality risk, delivering meaningful and sustainable savings.
Why This Matters
In challenging sectors like waste and recycling, insurance outcomes are rarely improved through last-minute negotiations alone.
They are achieved through:
- Year-round engagement
- Clear risk representation
- Proactive claims management
- Strong insurer relationships
At Readhunt, this is how we help clients move beyond market pressure – and take back control.
The information provided on this website and in our blogs is for general information purposes only and does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation. Insurance products and services are subject to eligibility, underwriting criteria and individual circumstances. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please note that failure to maintain adequate cover may expose your business to financial loss.
‘Readhunt’ is a trading name of Read Hunt Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 304444).