If you are building a career in commercial insurance and want a role where you can inherit clients, grow your own relationships and develop as an Account Executive without being dropped into a pure cold-start position, this should be a strong option. This Leeds-based opportunity is aimed at a junior commercial insurance professional who is ready to step up into an SME-focused Account Executive role with an existing book to work with from day one.

The appeal here is straightforward. You will not be expected to create everything from scratch, and you will not be boxed into an internal servicing role with no route forward. Instead, you will take ownership of an inherited portfolio of SME clients, learn how to build and retain a book properly, and be given the chance to develop your confidence in front of clients while growing your presence in the local market.

The opportunity

This role is centred around small and medium-sized business clients across a broad range of commercial sectors. You will be dealing with decision-makers who want clear advice, sensible cover recommendations and a broker who understands how to make insurance feel straightforward rather than overcomplicated.

It is a good fit for someone who already has some grounding in commercial insurance and wants to move closer to the front end of client management and business development. You might already be in an Account Handler, Development Executive or junior Account Executive role and feel ready for more ownership. Equally, you may already be in an external role but want a better platform, a warmer starting point and more support around you.

What the role involves

• You will inherit an existing SME book and take responsibility for maintaining and developing those client relationships.
• That means handling renewals well, identifying opportunities to strengthen cover, supporting retention and looking for sensible cross-sale opportunities where they genuinely add value.
• Alongside the inherited book, you will be encouraged to bring in new SME business and build your own pipeline over time.
• This is not a volume-led role where activity matters more than judgement.
• It is better suited to someone who can build trust, communicate well with business owners and develop into a credible adviser in the Leeds commercial insurance market.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and develop an inherited portfolio of SME commercial insurance clients
• Handle renewals, client reviews and day-to-day relationship management
• Identify opportunities to grow accounts through cross-sale and wider cover discussions
• Generate new business across the Leeds and wider Yorkshire SME market
• Work with broking and servicing colleagues to deliver strong client outcomes
• Build relationships with insurers and understand market appetite across core commercial risks
• Develop your own presence as a trusted adviser to SME clients

Who this role could suit

• An Account Handler looking to move into a more client-facing, development-focused role
• A junior Account Executive who wants more structure, more support and a book to inherit
• Someone with commercial insurance experience across SME or mid-market clients
• A broker who enjoys dealing with business owners and can explain insurance clearly
• A Leeds or West Yorkshire based insurance professional who wants long-term progression in commercial broking
• Someone ambitious, commercially aware and ready to build a career rather than just move jobs

You do not need to arrive with a large personal book. What matters more is that you understand commercial insurance, can build rapport with clients and want to grow into a successful SME Account Executive over time.