Newport-based insurance broker BPW Insurance Services has appointed Ian O'Brien as a new company director.

The appointment coincides with the firm’s £80,000 investment on new back-office software and IT infrastructure to further improve the efficiency of its systems.

Mr O'Brien has worked for Bridge Street-based BPW Insurance for five years and has more than ten years’ experience in the insurance industry prior to working for the firm.

He was also the winner of the 2012 British Insurance Brokers Association’s ‘Young Broker of the Year’ award for South Wales.

The software the firm has invested in, Acturis, is a market-leading broking programme which will be used for administration and policy management. The investment is part of a programme of continual improvement, with specific focus this year on improving the efficiency of administration and back-office procedures within the business.

Paul Wiggins, director at BPW Insurance Services, said: "We have always focused on the service we provide our clients. We believe that in order to give the best service we need to have the best staff as well as the best operating procedures. The appointment of Ian as a director, coupled with the introduction of Acturis, has allowed the company to simultaneously maximise the efficiency of our underlying administrative procedures, whilst growing our client base through increased focus on new business generation. The appointment will lead to us using Ian's extensive connections to further improve insurer relations and expand our product offering."

BPW Insurance has specialised in commercial insurance for more than 30 years and offers technical expertise coupled with dedicated ongoing service to businesses to ensure that they are both fully covered from the start and have the support they need in the event of a claim.

The company plans to continue to grow organically through new business generation and further appointments of high quality account executives and support staff.

BPW Insurance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and it is also members of the British Institute of Insurance Brokers.