Stuart Cheers-Berry joined Davies Insurance Solutions at the end of 2024 as Delegated Authority Manager. With a career rooted in the Lloyd’s and delegated authority markets, he brings a wealth of experience to a newly created role designed to strengthen and expand Davies’ delegated authority proposition. We caught up with Stuart to hear his reflections on his first months with the business, the opportunities and challenges he sees across the market, and why innovation, collaboration and culture are so important to him. 

Joining Davies: what attracted you to the role? 

I’d reached a point where my previous role wasn’t offering much opportunity for growth or expansion, so I started looking around for something that would stretch me. At the time there were a few delegated authority roles available with syndicates, but Davies immediately stood out. 

It’s a business that everyone in the market knows – whether through its systems, services, or people – and I’d always been intrigued by the scale and scope of what Davies does. Having worked for large companies before, I knew the benefits that come with that, but Davies is different: it’s a global organisation that’s deeply embedded in the insurance market, not just in London but worldwide. 

When I realised the role was brand new – a blank sheet of paper to shape and grow – that sealed the deal for me. I’ve always been someone who enjoys developing ideas and turning them into reality, so having the freedom to build something new really appealed. It felt like a unique opportunity to combine my experience with the resources and reach of a global organisation. 

What’s surprised you most since joining? 

The sheer breadth and depth of what Davies does. 

Early on I’d ask questions about whether we could provide a particular service, and the answer was almost always: “yes, we already do that.” It became a running joke – no matter what I raised, there was already a team somewhere in the group providing it, often across multiple geographies. 

It really hit home when I joined one of our global town halls with thousands of colleagues dialling in from around the world. The London Insurance Solutions team, big as it feels, is just a small part of a much larger ecosystem. That scale is a huge strength, but it also comes with the challenge of communicating clearly to clients what we can do without overwhelming them. 

Clients want expertise and clarity – and while some may initially see Davies as “too big,” what they get in practice is deep knowledge, specialist capability, and global coverage. That’s a unique combination, and something I think we should be bolder about promoting. 

Can you describe your role and what a typical day looks like? 

No two days are the same, and that’s exactly what I enjoy. 

A big part of my role is client-facing: supporting delegated authority approvals, liaising with brokers and coverholders, and collaborating with internal teams – whether that’s compliance, claims, finance, or bordereaux specialists. That side of the job requires a strong technical grounding, but also excellent relationship management. You can’t just rely on being technically correct; you need to build trust and communicate effectively to get results. 

Alongside that, I’m focused on developing the service itself – growing the client base, expanding our capabilities, and identifying opportunities to cross-sell. That means working across different parts of Davies, engaging with colleagues in areas I might not otherwise come into contact with, and sometimes coming up with entirely new service offerings off the back of those conversations. 

It’s a real blend of delivery and development, which keeps things fresh and rewarding. 

How has your previous industry experience shaped your approach? 

I’ve spent decades in and around the delegated authority and Lloyd’s markets, which has given me a deep understanding of how they work – the regulatory frameworks, the cultural dynamics, and the expectations that come with operating in that environment. 

That background was invaluable in setting up Davies’ delegated authority service, particularly in ensuring that what we built aligned with Lloyd’s standards and best practice. But the exciting part has been taking it further: using that foundation to explore new ideas, challenge established ways of working, and develop practical solutions in partnership with clients and colleagues. 

For example, we’ve looked at how technology and data can reshape processes, how acquisitions can bring new capabilities into the group, and how innovation can be applied to long-standing market challenges. Having the support and resources to pursue those ideas is one of the biggest differences between this role and previous positions I’ve held. 

You’ve been working closely with Asta’s delegated authority team. What stands out about their approach? 

Asta has built a reputation as the market leader in delegated authority management, and it’s not hard to see why. Their processes are well-oiled, their technical expertise is rock solid, and their standards are exceptionally high. 

From my perspective, collaborating with them has been both rewarding and stretching. Their expectations mean you have to operate at the top of your game, but that’s exactly how it should be. The quality of their work and the consistency of their approach make them excellent partners. 

What areas of Davies’ wider services have impressed you the most? 

The audit team is outstanding – the scope and sophistication of what they do continues to grow. I’ve also been impressed by our North American claims operations, which seem to be expanding almost by the day as new acquisitions come onboard. The coverage they provide is second to none. 

But what excites me most are the innovation hubs within Davies. These teams are focused on driving automation and developing new technological solutions. For delegated authority, the potential applications are huge – not just in making processes more efficient, but in genuinely reshaping how the London market operates. 

Being part of an organisation that’s prepared to invest heavily in these areas – and to back ideas with real resources – is inspiring. 

AI is a hot topic. What excites you most about Davies’ focus in this space? 

The scale of investment is a clear signal of intent. Davies recently secured £275 million to support growth, development and acquisitions, and a significant focus of that is on AI and automation. That tells me we’re serious about leading, not following, in this space. 

For delegated authority, AI could be transformative. On the efficiency side, we can see clear opportunities around things like bordereaux processing, regulatory reporting, and compliance checks. But the bigger prize lies in decision support – using AI to analyse underwriting performance, guide risk selection, and enhance oversight. 

Of course, regulation will play a part, and we’re keeping a close eye on how governments and Lloyd’s approach this. But the direction of travel is clear: AI will fundamentally change how delegated authority business is managed, and Davies has the scale, expertise, and ambition to shape that future. 

From your perspective, what do clients value most about Davies’ delegated authority support? 

Consistency and breadth. 

Clients appreciate the depth of our regulatory expertise, the ease of working with our teams across different regions, and the fact that we can deliver the same high standard of service whether they’re operating in London, the US, or Europe. 

They also value our systems knowledge and our ability to bring solutions to the table. Because we’re constantly engaging with vendors and reviewing potential acquisitions, we have visibility of what’s out there and what’s coming next. That gives us an edge in helping clients address their challenges and stay ahead of the curve. 

Above all, I think they value the fact that we’re responsive, collaborative, and genuinely committed to making their lives easier. 

What has been a standout highlight in your first months at Davies? 

Without doubt, helping to establish a new cyber audit service. 

Cyber audits are notoriously expensive and complex, and many syndicates struggle to find the specialist expertise needed. Drawing on my experience with a previous client, I raised the idea internally and discovered we already had the building blocks in place: cyber security specialists working within Davies across the US, India, and Europe. 

By bringing those people together, we’ve developed a dedicated cyber audit offering that’s now part of the Davies Global Services portfolio. Going from a conversation and an idea to a formalised service in such a short time was hugely rewarding – and a perfect example of how Davies’ culture of innovation enables ideas to become reality. 

It still gives me a buzz to think that something I raised early on has now become a global service. That simply wouldn’t be possible in most organisations. 

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about? 

On a personal level, I want to grow the delegated authority team and client base, and to see colleagues develop their careers within this space. The delegated authority market is only going one way – the demand for MGAs and specialist coverholders is increasing globally – and that creates opportunities for talented people to thrive. 

I’m also excited about the projects we’re working on with Asta and the possibility of new models of collaboration between our businesses. That could open up some really interesting opportunities. 

More broadly, I want to continue turning ideas into reality – whether that’s through AI-driven solutions, new service offerings, or collaborations that reshape how the market operates. Davies is a business that doesn’t just talk about innovation; it empowers people to make it happen. Being part of that is what excites me most about the future. 

If you would like to continue the conversation, get in touch with Delegated Authority Manager, Stuart Cheers-Berry at stuart.cheersberry@davies-group.com