Castlemead is an independent UK broker that arranges international insurance cover for businesses operating overseas. Castlemead has its own office in France and works with trusted partners across 150 countries, so it can arrange comprehensive, locally valid insurance wherever your business operates, rather than a UK policy stretched to cover it.
Everything is managed through one contact here in the UK, so you don’t deal with a different insurer in every country you expand into. Our international capability is advisory-led and focused on the risks that matter to mid-market businesses: contractual risk, difference-in-conditions exposure, regulatory compliance and coordinated multi-territory programmes.
We deliver international capability through three channels:
This combination is unusual for an independent broker of our size, and it means our clients get the international reach of a corporate brokerage with the personal service and independence of a specialist.
Our international clients include UK-based manufacturers with operations across Europe, international technology businesses, and companies expanding into new territories. We currently coordinate programmes for businesses operating in markets including Poland, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Turkey, and beyond.
Typical scenarios we handle:
Our international programmes typically cover:
We deliberately do not write EU motor/vehicle insurance: it’s a different risk class that requires different expertise. Our international focus is advisory, not transactional.
Yes. Castlemead coordinates global insurance programmes for UK mid-market businesses with international operations, covering property, liability, financial lines and cyber risk across Europe and beyond. The firm delivers international capability through three channels: Castlemead France (its own office in Compiègne with EU passporting rights), the Global Broker Network across 150 countries, and TechAssure for technology and cyber risk. Current client programmes span markets including Poland, Bulgaria, France, Germany and Turkey. Castlemead is a Chartered insurance broker and is authorised and regulated by the FCA under firm reference number 303956.
Yes. Castlemead France is based in Compiègne, near Paris, and holds passporting rights across the European Union. The office is registered with Orias, the French register of insurance intermediaries, and is a member of the CNCEF. Post-Brexit, Castlemead France acts as a gateway to European markets for UK businesses with subsidiaries or interests on the continent. Having a directly regulated EU office is uncommon for an independent broker of Castlemead’s size, where network arrangements alone are the more usual route.
Usually, yes. Most countries require insurance covering a local risk to be issued by an insurer licensed in that country, which means a UK policy extended overseas often has no standing where the loss actually happens. Castlemead handles this with a master policy issued in the UK, and a locally compliant policy in each territory, so the cover is valid on the ground and consistent across the group. The number of local policies you need depends on where you trade, whether you employ people there, and what your contracts oblige you to hold.
Through the Global Broker Network (GBN), Castlemead can arrange locally compliant insurance across 150 countries worldwide. The firm’s strongest international capability is in Europe, through Castlemead France, with active programmes currently in Poland, Bulgaria, France, Germany and Turkey. For technology and cyber risk, Castlemead also uses TechAssure, a specialist international network. Coverage in any given territory depends on local regulatory requirements, which is why Castlemead structures each programme with a locally compliant policy per country, rather than a single, extended UK policy. Contact Castlemead to discuss your specific territories.
No. Castlemead deliberately focuses its international capability on property, liability, financial lines and cyber risk, the areas in which its advisory expertise adds the most value for mid-market businesses. EU vehicle and motor insurance is a different risk class requiring specialist expertise and dedicated licensing that sits outside Castlemead’s core international offering. If you need international motor cover, Castlemead can refer you to a specialist provider rather than attempting to place it directly, so you won’t be left with cover arranged by a broker specialising in a wholly different market.
Castlemead uses a master/local structure: a master policy is issued in the UK covering the overall programme, with local policies arranged in each overseas territory through Castlemead France (for EU markets), GBN (for 150 countries) or TechAssure (for technology and cyber risk). Each local policy meets the regulatory requirements of its territory, while the master policy provides difference-in-conditions and difference-in-limits cover to fill any gaps. The entire programme is managed by a single Castlemead account executive, giving the client central oversight and one point of contact.
“Castlemead really understand what we do. It’s a good fit and the size of the business means we don’t feel like a number.”
“They go the extra mile to give the best possible service, and they look after the best interests of the client.”
“Castlemead have a deep understanding of our sector, we operate globally and they understand the risks we face in our markets. Our previous insurers didn’t have this understanding and it transpires that we had the wrong insurance and were unknowingly exposed. They are very responsive, Richard is the main contact but his team works seamlessly with my team and things get done. I don’thave to chase or worry. It all happens at the right level and it works.Castlemead is very different, there’s expertise but there’s a human element, you’re dealing with people who know your business.”
“They are a small firm and they really take care of their clients. They know what they are doing and they understand our industry. They also have all the history of our company and understand our business so they can just get on with the insurance.”
“We’ve worked with Castlemead for many years. Their specialist knowledge of the care sector means they understand our business and keep us updated with any changes we need to know about. They are extremely thorough in their approach and offer a friendly and efficient service. We highly recommend them.”
“We started working with Castlemead following a merger. Previously our insurance had been handled by one of our subsidiary companies, but following a management buyout we needed to find a new insurance broker and contacted Castlemead on their recommendation. We haven’t looked back! Adrian at Castlemead was extremely thorough in his approach and quickly grasped the size of our commercial property portfolio. He also visited a number of our properties to ensure the insurance cover was right. In my experience, this was the the first time a broker had done this.”
“We feel like we have a relationship with a company who really has got our back. We have genuinely never had this experience with an insurance supplier before. Not only was the Castlemead quote the cheapest, but due to Adrian’s diligence it was also the most comprehensive cover we have ever had.”
“We’ve found the Castlemead team to be through and responsive, and as such, they’ve taken a lot of the admin away from us which is great.”
“I feel confident that Castlemead has a good understanding of our business and the risks we face.”
“It’s the personal approach, Clive and Sarah know how we operate, they understand what limitations we have and our management set up. They provide the info we need in the right way. Our business is complex and they understand it which makes the whole process easier. They also understand that insurance isn’t our core business or our interest. They make sure we’re properly covered and at a reasonable price.”
“We were with a large VC broker before. They had been taken over so many times, while the contact didn’t change, it felt like it was time to change supplier. I knew Richard from a business networking group, and he had credibility, was clearly knowledgeable, and that gave us confidence to change.”
“We approached Castlemead as they are the WEAF appointed broker and understand our sector. They put forward a robust insurance package for us and a fair and honest proposal. We're delighted with the service we get from them, they deliver on everything they say they will and there's always someone you can speak to when you need to. We never feel like a number, it's a highly personal and professional service.”
“Shaun understands our business and is extremely thorough. Castlemead has married up all our insurances and they are now under the same policy date. Whatever the query he will come back quickly with an answer.”
“The length of time we’ve been working together means that they have a really good working knowledge of our business. They offer a very competent service and are responsive. They give clear advice on any changes and reasons for changes to the policy.”
Further information:
Bristol office:
Castlemead House
St John's Road
Bristol BS3 1AL
Exeter office:
Leeward House
Fitzroy Road
Exeter Business Park
Exeter EX1 3LJ
