Marsh, the world's leading insurance broker and risk adviser, today announces the creation of a major new business to serve the UK's small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

Marsh Commercial, led by Julie Page, combines a competitive offering that delivers real value to SMEs with a comprehensive support structure to ensure these companies receive the best service. Its launch is especially timely given the sector's growing need to access expert advice, products and solutions in the face of rapidly deteriorating business conditions.

Based on extensive research and a clear understanding of smaller companies' needs, Marsh has harnessed its global and market resources to develop a package of insurance products which deliver understandable, appropriate and competitively priced insurance solutions, all backed by leading insurers. This package has been designed to secure maximum value for SME clients in terms of product and price, whilst providing a bespoke offering to those clients whose more complex risks may be difficult to place in a generally commoditised market.

Marsh is also investing extensively in human resources, systems and infrastructure to enhance its offering to this market segment. This includes a nationwide recruitment programme for entrepreneurial client managers. These individuals will be outstanding both for their experience in the SME market and for their deep understanding of the issues and risks facing such companies. Recruits will be enrolled in an innovative Marsh employment programme for Client Relationship Managers and have the potential to enjoy high rewards.

Welcoming the launch of Marsh Commercial Martin South, CEO of Marsh UK, said: "For many years Marsh has been a leader in serving large corporates and organisations. The UK's SME sector has traditionally been under-serviced from an insurance and risk management standpoint, despite its size. We are excited by the opportunity to bring to bear all our resources to fill this gap and provide these companies with a level of product and service that will be second to none."

Ms Page added: "Small and medium-sized enterprises need support and guidance like never before in these tough economic times. With our knowledge of their issues and concerns, our extensive market relationships and our regional network which enables us to deliver solutions locally, Marsh is superbly placed to provide real value to them. We have ambitious growth plans for our Commercial business and my colleagues and I look forward to applying our fully client-focussed model to secure a leadership position in this growing market."