Decus Insurance Brokers, part of Bridge Specialty International (BSI), has appointed Steve Downing to lead a new division focused on wholesale construction insurance solutions across the London and wider European markets.
Downing (pictured above), who will report to Decus chief executive officer Glyn Harris, brings more than 30 years of experience in the construction insurance sector. His appointment marks a key step in BSI's strategy to expand its construction capabilities and strengthen its service offering for both US and international clients.
Harris said Downing's appointment reflects the firm's intent to build a dedicated platform that can address the complex needs of construction clients. He noted that Downing's market experience and track record in driving growth would be central to establishing the new division and deepening Decus's presence in the segment.
Downing said joining Decus provides an opportunity to shape a construction practice and added that the new division aims to develop tailored solutions for clients while supporting brokers with access to broader specialty capacity.
BSI's push into construction forms part of its broader ambition to position itself among the top five international specialty brokers. The move also reinforces London's role as a hub for specialty and wholesale placements, where construction remains a key growth area amid rising infrastructure investment, complex project risk profiles and heightened focus on environmental performance and contractual risk transfer.
In the current market, construction insurance demand continues to increase as project values rise and supply chain volatility, cost inflation, and environmental regulation add new layers of risk. For brokers, this has created opportunities to deliver more sophisticated solutions around project delay, professional indemnity, and renewable construction projects.
By building a dedicated construction division, Decus aims to capture this momentum, strengthening its capability to serve clients operating in a rapidly evolving global construction environment. The new division is expected to enhance BSI’s cross-border specialty offering while providing brokers and clients with deeper technical expertise and improved market access.
