The new Norwich head of operations at insurance giant Marsh said the city was well-placed to attract clients from London as he outlined plans to grow the business.

Keith Fenwick, who has re-joined Marsh from JLT Re, where he was chief operating officer for five years, has worked in the insurance business for more than 35 years.

Marsh, a leading broker and risk advisor group, employs more than 24,000 people worldwide and its Norwich base in Queen's Road is home to the second largest outfit in the UK.

Mr Fenwick, who has previously worked as UK chief executive of Marsh's sister company, Guy Carpenter, and also as chief operating officer of Marsh's UK Financial and Professional Practice, said Norwich's role as a financial services centre provided an excellent platform to build on while the expected growth in renewable energy and offshore industries dovetailed well with the firm's specialist corporate portfolio.

'The job is very much front ended, looking at clients and trying to grow the business both here in Norfolk and Suffolk,' he said. 'We are very much aligned with London, but hopefully we can get more business to come to Norwich, where that's acceptable to the client. There are some good opportunities and this is a well-brokered area, particularly around Norwich.

'Competition is fierce and there is huge pressure on brokerage and fees rates are flat, but being part of the biggest does make a huge difference,' he added. 'Norwich enjoys a hard-earned reputation among the insurance community for having an excellent blend of the people and skills required to deliver world-class insurance programmes. I look forward to nurturing and developing Marsh's presence in Norwich,'

Martin South, chief executive of Marsh UK and Ireland, added: 'I am delighted that Keith has returned to Marsh to lead and develop our business in Norwich. His deep knowledge of our organisation, combined with his impressive track record in managing businesses and improving operations and working practices, make him exceptionally well qualified to lead our Norwich office.'