A new management position has been established at an independent insurance brokers to improve services for rural businesses.

Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB), which specialises in rural and business insurance, has promoted David Murchie to the newly created role of head of agriculture.

This move is part of an effort to bolster its standing in the agri-insurance sector.

Mr Murchie, who grew up on a family farm in southern Scotland, will leverage his understanding of the field to expand the breadth of insurance products and services offered to the firm's growing clientele.

Mr Murchie said: "HHIB has a great reputation throughout the UK for providing trusted, independent insurance advice and products, and I’m excited to be appointed as the company’s first head of agriculture so we can build on the excellent work we already provide to our rural clients.

"We have some very experienced members of staff with exceptional knowledge of farming, and I’m looking forward to supporting their continued development and implementing strategies which will enable us to provide an even better service to our clients."

Mr Murchie joined HHIB as an account executive a year ago, bringing with him a wealth of experience in rural and farming business insurance.

His insights as someone raised on a farm inform his approach to his work.

He said: "As somebody who was raised on a farm, I have always been aware of how important it is for farming and rural businesses to have the right level of insurance cover and protection, and this motivates me to make sure we provide the best level of service to all our clients."

Over the past four decades, HHIB has cultivated a solid customer base across the North of England, the Scottish Borders, and Wales, serving sectors such as farming and agriculture, tourism and hospitality, construction, and other various business types.

Paul Graham, managing director of HHIB, said: "H&H Insurance Brokers assists thousands of farming and agricultural businesses each year and we want to keep developing the insurance products and services we provide to a wide range of customers.

"In the new management role, David will bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to bring the entire team together and make our offering stronger for the benefit of customers and staff alike."

Mr Murchie is well-regarded in the agricultural community, being a committee member at the Stranraer Show and a former member of the area's Young Farmers’ Club.

In his new role, he aims to "pool together the expertise of the team" to ensure continual improvement.