Smart Insurance Services has appointed Nick Franklin as its new sales director.

He joins from Mapfre Asistencia, part of Mapfre Group insurance, where he went from head of partnership and distribution in the UK to head of new business, partnership and distribution.

A former national sales director and relationship director at the Warranty Group, Franklin has spent his career in the automotive sector, predominantly in a business development role, nurturing partnerships with insurers, dealer groups and manufacturers, such as Vauxhall. 

Franklin’s main responsibilities will be to help guide the company’s new business strategy and commercial direction. 

Smart’s managing director Mark Boote said: “He comes with a wealth of experience and some long-standing relationships that we hope will continue to drive our business forward.

“He is very well respected in the industry and we feel this appointment is a statement about where we want to take Smart Insurance and the potential we have to build on our rapidly growing portfolio of clients. 

“The fact that Nick shares our values and can see the potential of what we are in the process of achieving makes his appointment a great fit for the future of our business.”

Franklin said: “When I met the guys from Smart I had a really good feeling about the business and its potential.

“What excites me is that there is no limit in this role – the possibilities to grow the business are clear. My previous roles have all been as an important spoke in a very big corporate wheel – this is different in the sense that there is a real opportunity to develop something new.”

Pictured: Nick Franklin (left) and Mark Boote.