About | Jensten Group Ltd

The Jensten Group

The Jensten Group was formed in 2018 following a management buyout of Coversure Insurance Services Group (CISG). It is comprised of a retail insurance division, Coversure, leading online insurance wholesalers, Policyfast, and the specialist underwriting business, City Underwriters Limited (CUL).

The business’s origins date back to 1986 when Coversure was established to provide communities with a good value, local insurance broking service using a franchise model. This provided insurance entrepreneurs with the opportunity to own and run their own brokerages while enjoying an umbrella of centralised support services. The business grew rapidly and today there are over 90 Coversure offices located throughout the UK.

In 2006 as part of its ambitious plans for growth, CISG created Policyfast, an online MGA, to offer brokers a flexible quote and buy service across a wide range of products. This was followed in 2010 by the acquisition of the specialist underwriting firm Stevenson Price, subsequently rebranded as City Underwriters Limited, in order to complete the Group’s service offering.

Following 2018’s buyout, the Group has continued to grow organically and has established a mergers and acquisitions function to accelerate its development and that of its offices. In 2020 it announced the purchase of Senior Wright and HTC Associates Limited followed by Packetts and Advance Insurance Agencies in 2021 and plans for further expansion are well advanced.

2020 also saw a change in leadership with Alistair Hardie joining the business as Jensten Group’s CEO. With over 35 years of industry experience and a track record of delivering growth, Alistair is the ideal person to lead the business as it enters another period of exciting developments.

The Jensten Group remains committed to its founding values of integrity, professionalism, innovation and to providing positive outcomes for customers.

Innovation and Acquisition

In 2006, Coversure was joined by Policyfast, an innovative online MGA offering a wide range of insurance products to UK brokers through a strong online portal.

Brokers found the combination of online speed, competitiveness and customer service a compelling proposition. Today, over 2,500 UK brokers hold a Policyfast agency and enjoy the support of a range of specialist, dedicated teams.

2010 saw the Group purchase Stevenson Price (rebranded as City Underwriters Limited) in order to extend the Group’s underwriting and gain access to London markets. To widen the footprint and add top quality underwriters to the team they also successfully purchased B & L Underwriting Agencies, a Lloyds cover holder, in 2018.

The Birth Of The Jensten Group

In 2018 with the financial backing of leading private equity firm Livingbridge, the leadership team mounted a successful management buyout. This not only gave birth to the Jensten Group, but represented the opening of an exciting new chapter in the business’s story.

The team has ambitious plans to realise the Group’s full potential and will be establishing growth through acquisitions, distribution development and continually improving the support and services offered to their customers, franchise holders, brokers and insurers. The overarching strategy is to continue to create sustainable, long-term businesses that deliver genuine value for all stakeholders.

Alistair Hardie – Group Chief Executive

Work: As The Group Chief Executive, Alistair leads the vision and strategy for Jensten, and drives the business to achieve its goals. Alistair has spent 35 years in the insurance sector, with a wealth of experience in personal and commercial lines activities, from both the manufacturer and distributor perspective.

Life: Alistair is husband to Petra, and has two adult children. A passionate skier and motor racing enthusiast, Alistair has more recently taken to the open road as a road cyclist, but is equally at home in his armchair watching his favourite teams.

Ed Hannan – Chief Financial Officer

Work: Ed joined Jensten as Group CFO in 2018 and leads finance and M&A. A qualified Chartered Accountant he has worked in insurance for nearly 20 years in a variety of finance, strategic and corporate development roles at blue chip institutions such as PwC, EY, Bupa and RSA Insurance. Experienced in driving growth and creating value, Ed now plays a pivotal role in driving the Jensten Group’s continuing growth.

Life: Ed lives with his wife and two children. He is a keen 10k runner – though he’s not as fast as he’d like to be. He loves watching international rugby and visits Twickenham for Tests as often as possible. For the last 6 years, Ed has been a Trustee and the Honorary Treasurer for NCB, a leading national children’s charity.

Simon Taylor – Wholesale Managing Director

Work: Simon joined the Jensten Group in April 2019 as Wholesale Managing Director with specific responsibility for Policyfast and City Underwriters. Simon is passionate about delivering high quality solutions to brokers for their commercial and personal clients. With 30 years’ experience in the industry at insurers, MGAs and brokers, he is well-placed to understand and meet the challenge and is always keen to get feedback on how we can continue to improve our services to brokers.