Lockton backs Manchester's growth with regional real estate risk and insurance advisory offering

Manchester, UK - Wednesday 12 August 2026: Lockton, the world's largest privately held independent insurance brokerage, today announces the launch of a regional real estate offering, strengthening its insurance and risk advisory presence across the North West region. The specialist offering will be led by Bob Birtwell, who joins Lockton as Client Leader and Senior Vice President in Lockton’s Manchester office.

The scale of investment and transformation underway in Manchester reflects a city with strong economic momentum and long-term growth prospects. Major regeneration initiatives, including the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the delivery of thousands of new homes, are reshaping the region and reinforcing Manchester’s position as one of the UK’s most dynamic real estate markets. As a result, Manchester represents a strategically important location for Lockton, offering significant opportunities to support clients as the city continues to evolve and expand.

Underpinned by strong population growth, a diversified economy and sustained rental demand, particularly within the rapidly expanding Build to Rent sector, Manchester continues to attract significant investment from developers, investors and operators. This growth brings an increasingly complex risk landscape, ranging from construction and operational challenges to evolving regulatory, environmental and liability exposures. As a truly private and independently owned broker, Lockton is uniquely positioned to respond with agility and innovation, delivering specialist insurance and risk advisory solutions tailored to clients' evolving needs and helping them navigate change with confidence.

“Manchester is one of the leading destinations for investment and economic growth in the UK, reflecting a broader trend of capital flowing beyond London and the South East,” said Ben Warman, Global Real Estate Practice Leader, Lockton.

He added: “Establishing a dedicated presence in the city enables us to deepen our relationships across the North West, providing clients with specialist insurance and risk advice informed by local market knowledge.”

Bob brings extensive experience spanning insurance broking and business development in the real estate sector. He has held senior positions at Chubb, Aspen and AXA and most recently, was Head of Wholesale Business Development at Howden.

Commenting on Bob’s appointment, Ben said: “We're delighted to welcome Bob to Lockton. His appointment marks an important strategic step in leading our new regional real estate offering in Manchester and supporting the continued growth of our business across the North West. The city continues to be one of the UK's most dynamic real estate markets, and Bob’s extensive experience and standing in the region make him an excellent fit for Lockton.”

“I'm delighted to be joining Lockton at such a pivotal moment for our real estate offering in the North West,” said Bob. “Having spent my career working closely with clients and developers here, I understand both the opportunities and the risk complexities they face. I look forward to building on Lockton's strong reputation to establish the business as a leading voice in the market and support this region’s remarkable growth.”