Ageas has appointed Roy Watkinson to the position of head of commercial pricing and underwriting.

The firm, formerly known as Fortis UK, said the move has been made to support the growth of its commercial lines business. He will join on 1 August and report into underwriting director Adam Clarke.

This newly created role will be responsible for over 100 employees and focuses on leading the delivery of Ageas’s strategic commercial programme through pricing, underwriting and further strengthening broker relationships.

Watkinson has over 36 years of industry experience with previous roles including at Axa Insurance.

Clarke said: “The new appointment is a significant demonstration of our commitment to grow our commercial lines proposition and reflects the value we place on continuing to build solid relations with our brokers.