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The Broker Start-Up Hub

Starting your own brokerage is an exciting opportunity, and this hub has been designed to support you every step of the way.

From choosing the right route to market and understanding regulatory requirements, to building a sustainable business and winning your first clients, there are a number of important decisions to make along the way.

That’s where this Start-Up Hub comes in.

Your guide to starting and growing a brokerage

The Start-Up Hub has been designed to help brokers who are considering setting up on their own, whether for the first time or as part of the next stage in their career.

You’ll find practical guidance, industry insight and useful resources covering:

  • The different routes to market available.
  • The advantages and challenges of each approach.
  • How to prepare for authorisation or appointment.
  • What the FCA expects from new firms.
  • How to develop a strong Regulatory Business Plan.
  • Key regulatory, operational and financial considerations.
  • Building the foundations for long-term business success.

The aim isn’t to replicate information already available from the regulator. Instead, we’ve focused on providing practical guidance, real-world considerations and tips to help you make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

Your guide to starting and growing a brokerage

A partnership designed to support brokers

This Start-Up Hub has been developed by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) and Intact Insurance as part of a shared commitment to supporting the long-term success of the UK insurance broking sector.

Combining BIBA’s industry knowledge and guidance with Intact Insurance’s practical experience, the hub has been created to support new and emerging brokers with clear, accessible information and resources designed to help them start, develop and grow their businesses.

Whether you’re still exploring your options or actively preparing to launch, our goal is to help you make confident decisions and build a brokerage that is set up for long-term success.

“
Over the past decade, the number of insurance brokers operating in the UK has reduced significantly. While consolidation has changed the shape of the market, it has also created opportunities for entrepreneurial brokers looking to establish their own businesses and serve customers in new and innovative ways.

Starting a brokerage can feel daunting. Whether you’re exploring the idea for the first time, operating as an Appointed Representative or considering Direct Authorisation, there are important decisions to make around regulation, business planning and growth.

This Start-Up Hub has been created by BIBA and Intact Insurance to help simplify that journey. It provides practical guidance on choosing the right route to market, navigating the authorisation process and building the foundations of a successful brokerage.

We are grateful to Intact Insurance for their support in developing this resource, which reflects a shared commitment to supporting the future success of the UK broking sector.

Graeme Trudgill
Chief Executive Officer
British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA)

Launching your brokerage

Starting your own brokerage begins with choosing the regulatory route that best fits your ambitions, resources and growth plans.

In the UK, there are two ways to establish a brokerage:

Directly Authorised (DA)

You apply directly to the FCA for authorisation and are responsible for meeting all regulatory requirements.

This route provides greater independence and control, but also requires more investment in governance, compliance and operational oversight.

Best suited for:

  • Experienced brokers seeking independence.
  • Businesses with established leadership and compliance capabilities.
  • Firms with long-term growth ambitions and a desire to build their own brand and regulatory framework.
Learn more about becoming Directly Authorised

Appointed Representative (AR)

You operate under the regulatory permissions of an authorised Principal firm, which assumes regulatory responsibility for your activities.

This route can provide a faster route to market and access to compliance support, systems and insurer relationships, but typically involves less autonomy.

Best suited for:

  • New entrants to broking.
  • Businesses looking to launch quickly.
  • Firms that would benefit from established compliance and operational support.
Learn more about becoming an Appointed Representative

What's next?

Receiving FCA authorisation is a significant milestone, but it’s only the start of building a successful brokerage.

Once authorised, your focus shifts from obtaining regulatory approval to getting your business ready to trade, securing insurer and market access, implementing systems and technology, attracting and retaining customers, and creating the operational foundations needed for long-term growth.

Explore the next stage of the journey in our Getting Ready to Trade section, where you’ll find practical guidance on turning your business plan into a successful and scalable brokerage.

Visit Getting Ready to Trade

**The information in this Hub is of a general nature, for guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. We do not guarantee or verify the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, BIBA and Intact Insurance cannot accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person or entity arising from reliance on the information in this Hub. Read our website terms of use >https://www.biba.org.uk/terms-conditions/.