Simon Bell joins as Chief Underwriting Officer – Commercial and Mid-Market, completing FUAL’s underwriting leadership structure.
London, UK – 04/11/2026 – Folgate Underwriting Agency Limited (FUAL) has completed a key milestone in its long-term growth strategy with the appointment of Simon Bell as Chief Underwriting Officer – Commercial and Mid-Market, finalising its underwriting leadership structure across all core business pillars.
Simon joins FUAL from Touchstone Underwriting, where he most recently served as Lead Underwriter – Property & Commercial. During more than 15 years with the business, he played a significant role in shaping and developing its commercial underwriting proposition, leading a team of approximately 12 across Construction, Property and Commercial Combined. He prioritised the broker experience, building strong relationships and developing a service-led approach to support effective trading partnerships.
Having worked in the insurance industry since 2005, Simon brings extensive technical underwriting expertise, proven team leadership and valuable experience in developing and managing commercial insurance portfolios to FUAL.
In his new role, Simon will lead FUAL’s Commercial and Mid-Market underwriting team to drive the continued development of FUAL’S current products.
His appointment marks an important milestone for FUAL, completing the leadership structure across its four core business pillars.
This investment reflects FUAL’s continued commitment to strengthening its propositions, responding to evolving broker needs and delivering specialist underwriting expertise across its markets.
Ian Russell, Group Chief Executive Officer at FUAL, said:
“The last three years have been transformational for the business. Following the sale of the insurance company and the subsequent evolution of FUAL, Simon’s appointment represents the culmination of a long-term strategy to establish FUAL as a market-leading underwriting business, building on the strong foundations and capabilities already in place.”
“Completing our underwriting leadership structure across all four pillars is a significant milestone. We now have an exceptional team of underwriting leaders in place, each bringing deep sector knowledge, strong broker relationships and the expertise required to drive the next stage of our growth.”
“Simon brings extensive commercial underwriting experience, a strong reputation in the market and a clear understanding of what brokers need from their underwriting partners. His appointment comes at an exciting time as we continue to invest in our products, people and underwriting capability.”
“We remain committed to delivering specialist expertise, flexibility and innovative solutions for our broker partners, and Simon will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve those ambitions.”
Simon Bell, Chief Underwriting Officer – Commercial and Mid-Market at FUAL, said:
“I’m delighted to be joining FUAL at such an exciting time for the business. I’m passionate about the opportunities ahead and look forward to bringing my experience and skillset to complement the wider FUAL team and contribute to the continued success of the business. Having spent much of my career in the insurance industry, I understand the importance of combining strong technical expertise with a practical, responsive approach to supporting our brokers.”
“FUAL’s ambitions for its Commercial and Mid-Market offering strongly align with my own, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to build on the strong foundations already in place and develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of our broker partners and their clients.”
“I’m excited to get started and to play my part in the continued development and success of FUAL.”
Simon joins FUAL on 4 November 2026.