Three nominations recognise our commitment to better claims outcomes

It's been an exciting year for our Claims team, and we're delighted to share that Direct Commercial has been shortlisted in three categories at the Insurance Post Claims and Fraud Awards 2026. 

We're proud to have been nominated for: 

• Claims Innovation of the Year – Insurer 

• Insurance Claims Team of the Year 

• Claims Rising Star Award – Luke Smethurst 

While it's always rewarding to receive industry recognition, these nominations mean even more because they reflect the work our team puts in every day to make the claims experience better for brokers and their clients. 

Innovation that delivers real value 

At Direct Commercial, we believe innovation isn't about making claims more complicated, it's about removing unnecessary friction. 

Over the past year, our Claims team has continued to challenge traditional ways of working, finding smarter ways to improve communication, speed up decision-making and deliver better outcomes when customers need us most. 

Whether it's embracing new technology, refining internal processes or strengthening collaboration across teams, every improvement has the same goal: making claims simpler, faster and more transparent for brokers and their customers. 

Being recognised in the Claims Innovation of the Year category is a testament to that ongoing commitment. 

A team that puts people first 

Our nomination for Insurance Claims Team of the Year reflects something we're incredibly proud of: a team that combines technical expertise with genuine care. 

Claims are often the moment that matters most in the insurance journey. That's why our people focus on more than simply settling claims. They work closely with brokers and look for practical solutions that help customers get back on track as quickly as possible. 

Behind every successful claim is a collaborative team that shares knowledge, supports one another and never stops looking for ways to improve. It's this culture of continuous learning and shared responsibility that helps us deliver the service our brokers expect. 

Congratulations, Luke 

We're especially pleased to see Luke Smethurst shortlisted for the Claims Rising Star Award. 

Luke has made a significant impact through his commitment to customers, willingness to support colleagues and drive to continually develop his knowledge and skills. His positive attitude and dedication embody the values we strive to demonstrate every day, making this recognition thoroughly deserved. 

Congratulations, Luke, from everyone at Direct Commercial. 

Looking ahead 

These nominations are a fantastic achievement for the entire Claims team and everyone who supports them across the business. 

We're incredibly proud of what has been accomplished so far, but we're even more excited about what's next. We'll continue investing in our people, refining the way we work and finding smarter ways to support brokers and their customers whenever they need us. 

We look forward to celebrating alongside our peers at the Insurance Post Claims and Fraud Awards later this year, and we'd like to thank everyone whose hard work has helped make these nominations possible.