We could tell you how good we are. But we’d rather our clients did that for us. As a £25m gross written premium brokerage with nearly four decades of experience, we’ve built long-standing relationships with businesses across the UK and internationally, from manufacturers with operations in Poland and Bulgaria to international tech companies and aerospace firms. Here’s what a few of them have to say.
“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.”
Client in the manufacturing sector
“They go the extra mile to give the best possible service, and they look after the best interests of the client.”
Client in the manufacturing sector
“Castlemead have a deep understanding of our sector. We operate globally and the service we receive is both personal and professional.”
Client in the aerospace sector
We think so, but don’t take our word for it. Our client retention rate speaks for itself. We’re not the cheapest broker in the market, and we wouldn’t want to be. What we offer is expert, independent advice that protects your business properly. When we review a cyber policy, for example, we compare wordings across 18 insurers line by line, from business interruption definitions to supply chain cover to AI liability gaps. That level of detail is worth more than saving a few pounds on premium.
Castlemead Insurance Brokers is a Chartered, FCA-authorised independent broker founded in Bristol in 1987, managing £25 million in gross written premium for UK mid-market businesses. The firm holds Chartered status from the Chartered Insurance Institute, the highest professional standard in UK insurance broking, and is led by Richard Ingleby ACII, who has been Managing Director since 2006. Castlemead specialises in sectors including advanced manufacturing, food and drink, technology and cyber, aviation, and life sciences, and provides international coverage through Castlemead France, the Global Broker Network (150 countries), and TechAssure. See our About page for full details.
Clients consistently highlight Castlemead’s personal service, deep sector knowledge, and willingness to read the small print that other brokers overlook. As a mid-sized independent brokerage, Castlemead assigns a dedicated account executive to each client, the same person every time, rather than routing through call centres or junior handlers. Clients in manufacturing, aerospace, and technology have noted the firm’s ability to coordinate international cover and act as a genuine advocate at claims time. Verified testimonials are published on this page.
Yes. Castlemead Insurance Brokers is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and holds Chartered status from the Chartered Insurance Institute. Chartered status requires the firm to meet strict standards for professional qualifications, ethical conduct, and continuing professional development across its entire team. Castlemead’s FCA registration can be verified on the FCA Register. For more about the firm’s credentials, see our About page.
Castlemead was founded in Bristol in 1987 and has been arranging commercial insurance for UK businesses for nearly four decades. The firm is now led by Richard Ingleby ACII, who has been Managing Director since 2006 and brings a background in both insurance and IT/software development. Over that time, Castlemead has grown to manage £25 million in gross written premium, with five account executives serving mid-market businesses across the South West, South Coast, and Midlands.
Castlemead has deep expertise in commercial insurance for advanced manufacturing, food and drink, technology and cyber, property, aviation, construction, and life sciences. The firm’s sector knowledge goes beyond standard broking, for example, its cyber risk arm Fourarmed conducts independent technical audits and reviews policy wordings across 18 insurers to identify gaps in coverage such as business interruption definitions, supply chain exposure, and AI liability. For businesses with overseas operations, Castlemead provides international risk advisory through its French office and global broker networks. See our Expertise pages for details by sector.
Yes. Castlemead acts as your advocate from first notification through to final settlement, dealing directly with insurers on your behalf. This is particularly important in complex claims, for example, around 40% of cyber insurance claims are turned down, often because of warranty breaches the policyholder was not aware of. Castlemead’s approach includes proactive compliance management and independent auditing through Fourarmed, designed to prevent claim denials before they happen. Contact us to discuss how claims handling works.
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
