Luke Smethurst Wins Claims Rising Star Award 2026

From apprentice to award winner in six years.  

A huge congratulations to our very own Luke Smethurst, who took home the Claims Rising Star Award at the Claims and Fraud Awards 2026. 

Luke joined Direct Commercial as an apprentice in 2020. Fast-forward six years and he’s now a Section Leader in our Intervention Team, having built an impressive depth of claims knowledge and experience along the way. 

But Luke’s contribution to DCL goes well beyond his own career progression. He’s become someone colleagues can turn to for advice, support and a bit of claims know-how – helping to develop the next generation of talent within our claims team. 

That’s what makes this award particularly special. It recognises not just how far Luke has come, but the impact he’s having on the people around him. 

We’re incredibly proud to see his hard work and contribution recognised by the industry, and even more proud that we’ve had a front-row seat to his journey from apprentice to Claims Rising Star. 

Congratulations, Luke. Thoroughly deserved.