We provide THE London Motor wholesale market with a solution for non-standard motor risks which may prove difficult to place in the conventional market

Octane London Market marks ten years serving non‑standard motor risks

Octane London Market (OLM) turns ten this year, a milestone in its journey as a trusted underwriting partner in the London motor wholesale market. 

Founded in late 2014 and launching its first policies in 2015, the agency has grown from a £5 million AXA-backed start-up to a £26 million capacity operation backed by Prestige Underwriting. OLM has retained AXA support throughout and that continues to this day.

OLM was born out of a conversation between Dave Murray and Simon Baker (then head of commercial underwriting at AXA), who saw demand for a reliable solution for non-standard motor risks.

Their idea was simple but focused - to create a specialist underwriting agency backed by strong capacity and led by underwriters with deep Lloyd’s market experience.

That idea became reality in 2015, when David Archdale joined Dave Murray from AIG. Operating initially as an appointed representative of Prestige Underwriting, OLM wrote its first policy with AXA capacity. In its first year, the business secured £5 million in underwriting capacity.

Ten years later, Octane is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prestige Underwriting with capacity now at £26 million. AXA has remained a consistent and valued capacity partner throughout this time.

In 2022, David Archdale stepped back from the day-to-day operation and handed over to Santina Thomas, who joined from AIG. Santina brought a wealth of experience in specialist motor underwriting and continues to lead the business into its next phase of development. Under her leadership, Octane has maintained a steady course, growing its portfolio and expanding broker relationships.

“Reaching our ten-year milestone is a proud moment for everyone at Octane,” said Santina. “The business was built on specialist knowledge, close broker relationships, and a clear understanding of where conventional motor markets fall short. That remains our focus today. As we look ahead, we’re committed to expanding our proposition while maintaining the technical underwriting discipline that brokers rely on.”

Looking ahead

The demand for non-standard motor coverage has risen sharply over recent years. Brokers report increased requirement for flexible policy terms and tailored solutions, particularly in high-risk occupations and complex fleet operations. OLM’s decade of underwriting such risks positions it well for future market shifts.

OLM has established a strong reputation for its ability to underwrite complex motor risks that fall outside the scope of the standard market. With a specialist team of underwriters, each with significant experience in the London fleet and motor sectors, the business offers a robust and responsive service to wholesale brokers.

It remains a testament to strategic foresight that a casual lunch in 2014 led to today’s well‑capitalised, specialist underwriting agency. With seasoned leadership and loyal support from AXA and Prestige, Octane London Market stands ready to meet the evolving needs of brokers handling non‑standard motor risks.

We’re proud of what OLM has achieved in its first decade and are grateful for the enduring support of our capacity providers and broker partners. As demand for non-standard solutions continues to grow, Octane London Market remains focused on providing expert underwriting for specialist motor risks in an evolving market.